SANDAKAN: Former Tanjong Papat assemblyman and ex-Sabah DAP chairman Datuk Frankie Poon Ming Fung, together with former Sabah DAP state secretary Liau Fui Fui, have officially joined Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (PKDM) and were confirmed as the party’s candidates in Sandakan.
Poon will defend his Tanjong Papat seat while Liau will contest in Elopura, both under the PKDM banner in the coming Sabah state election.
The duo quit DAP last month, citing dissatisfaction over leadership changes in Tanjong Papat and feeling sidelined by the party’s new direction.
Their candidacies were announced by PKDM deputy president Datuk Wetrom Bahanda during the party’s election machinery launch in Sandakan on Thursday (Nov 7).
“I hope the people in Tanjong Papat and Elopura will evaluate their track record as true fighters for the people. With everyone’s support, God willing, PKDM will win both seats,” said Wetrom.
Wetrom said the pair’s entry would strengthen PKDM’s presence in Sabah’s east coast, bringing the party’s total confirmed seats to 38. He added that two more constituencies are being finalised and will be announced during PKDM’s candidate unveiling session on Nov 13 at the Palace Hotel in Kota Kinabalu.
Poon said he chose to join PKDM because of its local roots and grassroots-driven struggle.
“I had many offers before, but I finally selected PKDM because it’s a local party. Their struggle focuses on empowering the grassroots, and we must take care of our people because we understand their problems,” he said.
Liau said she is confident the people will respond positively despite PKDM being relatively new to the east coast.
“PKDM’s name in the east coast may not yet be well known, but I believe that with Datuk Frankie and our team’s hard work, we can introduce the party to everyone and earn their trust,” she said.
DAP’s candidate lineup revealed last night means Poon will face DAP national youth vice-chief Tang Szu Ching in Tanjong Papat, while Liau in Elopura will go up against Sandakan MP Vivian Wong, who is also Sabah DAP secretary.
