SIBU: Being denied the chance to contest in the state election last year has only spurred Gabungan Parti Sarawak's (GPS) new face, Wong Ching Yong, to do well for the Lanang parliamentary seat.
Wong, an accountant by profession, received the watikah from GPS president Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg on Thursday (Nov 3) to stand in the 15th General Election.
The Lanang seat is expected to see a four-cornered fight which includes incumbent Alice Lau (DAP), Priscilla Lau (Parti Bumi Kenyalang) and an Independent Datuk Wong Tiing Kiong.
Wong, who is SUPP Dudong branch chief, thanked Abang Johari and Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) president Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian for selecting him.
"His (Dr Sim) support is especially important after I was surprisingly and unexpectedly denied the opportunity, at the very last minute, to contest in N52 Dudong in the 2021 state polls.
"Also, without the support and advice from secretary-general Datuk Sebastian Ting and the party central, it is unlikely for me and SUPP Dudong branch to move on and recover from the serious setback of losing N52 Dudong candidacy in the state polls," he said in a statement on Thursday.
He also expressed his appreciation to all SUPP Dudong members including his friends and relatives who still continue to encourage, assist and support him "rain or sunshine, especially the failure to become Dudong candidate.
In that state election, GPS picked Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing who went on to win the Dudong seat.
