SANDAKAN: A push for fresh leadership has emerged within the local Chinese business community, with calls for voters in Karamunting to consider giving Barisan Nasional a chance to address long-standing economic pressures and daily livelihood concerns, says Datuk Chong Sin Woon.
The MCA secretary-general said that during an engagement session with the Sandakan Chinese Chamber of Commerce (SCCC) on Thursday (Nov 20) night, traders had been open about the challenges they faced.
“Many businesses are struggling. The economic situation has created a lot of hardship, and government policies continue to compress business opportunities. People are finding it difficult to cope, and these concerns must be taken seriously,” he said.
He said the feedback reflected a community eager for stability, clearer direction and a representative who can prioritise economic growth and solutions on the ground.
Chong added that Karamunting Barisan candidate Datuk Chin Kim Hiung could create better opportunities for the constituency if elected.
“It is time to give someone new a chance to address issues that have gone on for years. Chin is a good candidate who can help revive the local economy and improve lives,” he said.
Among those present were MCA vice-president Datuk Lawrence Low Ah Keong, Sandakan MCA chairman Kok Tsui Yee, and SCCC president Chia Hock Ak.
Separately, Chin and his campaign team visited Bandar Nam Tung on Friday (Nov 21), where traders and residents greeted him warmly and raised their concerns.
Chin said the strong support from the community encouraged him to push harder for meaningful improvements.
"The trust people are showing gives me even more motivation to work for Karamunting,” he said.
Nam Tung, once a bustling food hub renowned for its seafood bak kut teh, now attracts fewer visitors and has a noticeably quieter atmosphere compared to its peak years in the 1990s.
