Vivian Wong wants Sandakan to return to its glory days

SANDAKAN: Vivian Wong Shir Yee (pic) hopes Sandakan, a district on Sabah's east coast, will return to its glory days as she steps into her late father's shoes.

The 30-year-old social activist, the youngest daughter of the late Sabah DAP chairman Stephen Wong Tien Fatt, will be contesting the Sandakan parliamentary by-election on a DAP ticket.

The by-election was called after Stephen's demise on March 28. He also held the state Health and People's Wellbeing ministry portfolio.

On her official Facebook page, she spoke of aspiring to form a dynamic Sandakan and to continue her father's legacy of boosting tourism, oil palm industry and wood-based downstream industry in the town, dubbed as "little Hong Kong".

Vivian's was announced as the candidate by Sabah Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal, with DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng and other senior leaders present during a town hall programme on Thursday (April 25).

Prior to this, the Murdoch University of Australia graduate worked as a special assistant in her late father's ministry, and has also volunteered for welfare programmes in countries like Indonesia and Cambodia.

At the gathering, Vivian said that she, as a native of Sandakan, was committed to help resolve the problems of the people.

Mohd Shafie said Parti Warisan Sabah, United Pasokmomogun Kadazandusun Murut Organisation and Pakatan Harapan would give their full support to Vivian.

"After discussion, we have decided to use the DAP logo like in the past general election, which brought the win for her late father.

"We won't take any by-election for granted – we have to work hard to ensure a win.

"We are confident that in the coming by-election, voters know whom they want and will pick the candidate that can do the best for Sandakan," he added.

The seat is widely seen as DAP stronghold and opposition parties are stepping aside for Parti Bersatu Sabah to make a challenge.

PBS has yet to name its candidate for the by-election.

Nomination Day for the Sandakan by-election will be on Saturday (April 27).