Ex-assemblymen keen to contest in Miri in GE14

MIRI: Two former assemblymen have expressed their interest to stand in Miri in the 14th general election (GE14).

According to Parti Bumi Kenyalang ( PBK) Miri branch secretary Fong Pau Teck – the former elected representative for Pujut state constituency – such move would depend on which opposition party that would contest in the parliamentary polls.

In last year’s May 7 state polls, he contested in Pujut as an Independent candidate, but lost to Dr Ting Tiong Choon of DAP who garnered 8,899 votes versus Fong’s 375. The other two contenders in the four-corner fight were Barisan Nasional ( BN) direct candidate Datuk Hii King Chiong who polled 7,140 votes, and Jofri Jaraiee of PAS who managed 413 votes.

“If PKR gets to field its candidate (for Miri) under Pakatan Harapan, then I would go all out to support and help that candidate. If the candidate is from other (opposition) parties, then I would contest in Miri – under PBK,” Fong said in a statement yesterday.

The ‘other parties’ mentioned by him refer to DAP and PAS.

Meanwhile, state DAP secretary Alan Ling, who is the former assemblyman for Piasau, was also very keen to contest in Miri.

“The DAP grassroots in Miri want me to stand in GE14 and help the party secure the Miri seat,” he said.

In the 2013 parliamentary election, PKR’s Dr Michael Teo won the Miri seat in in a threecorner fight with Datuk Sebastian Ting of SUPP and Chong Kon Fatt of Sarawak Reform Party, which was known as STAR then.