DAP's Chong Chieng Jen to contest Stampin parliamentary seat

Lim (centre), Chong (beside Lim), Baru Bian (in blue) and Fidzuan (third from right) at DAP's Batu Kawa service centre in Kuching. - ZULAZHAR SHEBLEE /THE STAR

KUCHING: Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen will move to the Stampin parliamentary seat in GE14.

The three-term Bandar Kuching MP announced his candidacy at a packed rally at DAP's Batu Kawa service centre here on Monday (April 23).

Chong also announced that his special assistant Dr Kelvin Yii, who had been tipped to contest in Stampin, would be fielded in Bandar Kuching instead.

In addition, he announced Edward Luwak as the party's candidate in Serian, Mordi Bimol in Mas Gading and Tony Chiew in Bintulu.

Also present at the announcement were DAP adviser Lim Kit Siang, state PKR chairman Baru Bian and state Amanah chairman Fidzuan Zaidi.

DAP will contest nine of the 31 parliamentary seats in Sarawak.

In his speech, Lim said Chong was "risking his political life" by contesting in Stampin, which is now considered a grey area for the Opposition, following a redelineation exercise in 2015.

"We must make a stand for our country and its future. As leaders, we are prepared to face risks," he said.

The redelineation exercise saw Batu Lintang, a safe Opposition state seat, moved from Stampin into Bandar Kuching.

The Stampin constituency accommodated the new seat of Batu Kitang, which was won by Barisan Nasional in the 2016 state polls.

In GE13, DAP's Julian Tan won Stampin with a majority of 18,670 votes.

Last week the party announced four of its candidates who will contest in Sarawak's central region.

Alice Lau, Oscar Ling and Wong Ling Biu will defend their Lanang, Sibu and Sarikei seats while new face Paren Nyawi will be fielded in Kapit.