Sabah DAP wants Vivian Wong for by-election

KOTA KINABALU: The state DAP is pushing for Vivian Wong, the daughter of the party’s late Sabah chairman Datuk Stephen Wong Tien Fatt (pic), to contest the Sandakan parliamentary by-election.

Party sources said the state leaders felt that

Vivian, 30, was the best choice considering she worked closely as her father’s public relations officer in the state Health and Wellbeing Ministry.

“She was with her father throughout his political campaign. She was also involved in the party activities.

“We believe she would be the best choice,” the source said of Vivian, who has a degree in communications.

However, the source said the central executive committee could have its own take on the right candidate.

“We are open to other views. We are also aware that some may accuse us of fielding family members to continue legacies but we feel that she is young and is a hardworking party worker,” the source said.

According to sources, there was also talk about fielding someone “from outside” but most people felt that under the current situation, Vivian was the best choice.

Among the names considered were businessman Datuk John Khoo, who is Sabah Credit Corporation chairman, Wong’s public relations officer Jimmy Tsen as well Sandakan DAP member Bryan Chin.

The Election Commission is expected to meet today to set the dates for nomination and polling for the Sandakan seat, which fell vacant following the sudden death of Wong on March 28.

The seat is widely seen as a DAP stronghold.

With Sabah Barisan Nasional existing only on paper, former component members Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) have yet to make their stand about contesting the seat, while Sabah MCA also has not shown any indication on this.