KUALA LUMPUR: Incumbent Bentong MP Wong Tack has rebelled against DAP and will contest in Bentong as an Independent in the 15th General Election (GE15).
Wong said this after DAP announced that he would be replaced by the party's deputy Youth chief Young Syefura Othman to contest the seat.
"Yes, I am standing as a candidate in Bentong," he said when contacted on Wednesday (Oct 26).
Earlier, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke announced that Young Syefura had been chosen to stand in Bentong.
He said Young Syefura, also known as Rara, was deemed most likely to win by the party.
Loke said Wong was given the option of contesting the Cameron Highlands parliamentary seat but had rejected the offer.
In a statement, Wong said DAP had reneged on their understanding that he would be allowed to continue championing green issues after spearheading the Himpunan Hijau movement in GE13.
"DAP has decided to end this ‘understanding’.
"I wish to make it clear that people decide their own path and destiny. The choice is ours," he said.
Wong also took a swipe at the politicking within the party.
"We have no interest in playing political games, particularly party politics.
"The people are not pawns in a chess game," he said.
He added that he had served his constituency well over the past four years and would continue to do so as a local boy.
"Bentong is my hometown. I remain committed to continue serving my people," he said.
Wong became a familiar face known for his opposition to Australian mining firm Lynas Corp’s rare-earth processing plant in Pahang which became a campaign platform during the 2018 General Election.
MCA recently announced that former party president Tan Sri Liow Tiong Lai would contest in Bentong, a seat he previously won in 1999 and successfully defended until 2018.
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