Incumbent Bandar Kuching MP to contest in GE14

KUCHING: Incumbent Bandar Kuching MP Chong Chieng Jen says he will be contesting in the coming 14th general election.

However, he did not reveal which seat he will be contesting.

“Yes, I will be standing (contesting) in the coming election, but I don’t know where yet,” said Chong, who is Kota Sentosa assemblyman after he chaired a press conference at DAP headquarters, here yesterday.

Chong, who is state DAP chairman is a three-term Bandar Kuching MP, and is eligible to contest after he was acquitted from a charge of participating in a street protest two years ago by the Sessions Court on Thursday.

Chong, together with Stampin MP Julian Tan were charged under Sectioon 49( 2) (c) of the Peaceful Assembly Act, 2014.

In the last general election, Chong defeated his Barisan Nasional ( BN) opponent from Sarawak United People Party ( SUPP) Tan Kai by a majority votes of 19, 642.

At the conference, Chong said DAP together with its partners in Pakatan Harapan will hold a series of talks across the state to prepare for the election.

He said the talk will start today ( Sept 16) in Batu Kawah from 6: 30pm in conjunction with Malaysia Day, adding that the talk will touch on the present political situation in the country and the higher cost of living which greatly affect the people.

“We, together with our partners in Pakatan Harapan will hold a series of talks across the state as a preparation to face the election to explain to the people of Sarawak on the political situation in the country with the hope to change the government for a better future,” Chong pointed out.

Meanwhile, Chong criticised the move by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to use RM10 billion from Employess Provident Fund ( EPF) to invest in United States.

He questioned whether the move was to delay the investigation on 1MDB by Department of Justice ( DoJ) of the United States.

Present at the press conference were Julian Tan and Pending assemblywoman Violet Yong.