Wong's daughter to defend S'kan seat
SANDAKAN: Democratic Action Party (DA) will be fielding Vivian Wong Shir Yee, 30, the daughter of the late Datuk Stephen Wong Tien Fatt, to defend the P.186 Sandakan Parliamentary seat.
Vivian, who was born and raised in Sandakan, is the youngest child out of four siblings and has been an active member in DAP alongside her father since 2012.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal announced this during a ‘Townhall Session with the People' programme held at Sandakan Community Centre, here, yesterday.
Also present were Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang and Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Christina Liew.
Vivian said that her vision is to ‘revive' Sandakan and to create a dynamic Sandakan.
“Just like my late father, I am going to go to the ground to understand the problems faced by the people, regardless of their race; it was my father's vision.
“Personally, I understand the problems faced by the people of Sandakan because I am from Sandakan. I was born and raised here, and I received my education here.
"The problems that the people here face, I too have faced them. For example, electricity (supply) problem; that is why, this year, the Government will launch a power transmission system project for Sandakan.
“My focus will also be on tourism and infrastructure development. The Finance Minister has announced that the airport will be upgraded starting this year, and he has also approved infrastructure development projects in Sandakan.
“Therefore, I am confident that with the support and collaboration (from the people) to the Government, Sandakan would be fully developed. I will try my best to make Sandakan dynamic and ‘revived',” Vivian said after she was announced as DAP candidate in the by-election.
When the announcement was made, Vivian was accompanied by her mother, Datin Florence Chong Mee Fook on stage. The announcement ended with Lim Guan Eng presenting DAP nomination credential to Vivian.
Vivian, who is still single, worked closely with her father as a special officer to the former Minister of Health and People's Wellbeing and Sandakan MP who passed away on March 28 due to a heart attack.
After completing her high school education at Sekolah Menengah (SM) Sung Siew Sandakan, Vivian continued her studies in Diploma in Communication and Media in Selangor, and a Degree in Public Relations in Australia. She also has another Diploma in Early Childhood Education from Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur.
The Sandakan by-election will be held on May 11, and at least three independents have announced that they will be contesting.
The BN and Umno have announced that they will not be fielding any candidates for the by-election, while Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) is expected to announce its candidate today (Friday).