KUCHING: Sarawak DAP today announced 18 of its 26 candidates for the 12th Sarawak State Election set to take place Dec 18.
The list was announced by Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen at the party's headquarters in Padungan, here, today.
He said another eight candidates would be announced later with six of them in Kuching and two more in Sibu.
"The reason why I am not announcing the list of six candidates in the Kuching (parliamentary) constituency now is because it is a party strategy.
"We are waiting for Gabungan Party Sarawak (GPS), especially the Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) to confirm their candidates in Pending, Padungan, Kota Sentosa, Batu Kawa, Batu Kitang and Stakan, then we will announce the DAP candidates," he explained.
Of the six constituencies in Kuching, two are held by DAP, namely Pending through Violet Yong and Kota Sentosa held by Chong, while Padungan is represented by an independent after its incumbent, Wong Kin Wei quit the DAP on July 26, 2020.
On the other two areas in Sibu that have not been announced; Dudong and Bawang Assan, Chong said, the DAP is still in negotiations to work with the local opposition party, namely the United Sarawak Party (PSB).
Currently, the two seats are held by PSB through its President Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh in Bawang Assan and Datuk Tiong Thai King in Dudong.
"We have not yet reached an agreement with PSB on the two seats and negotiations are still ongoing," he said.
Meanwhile, in the list of candidates announced today, the party retained two incumbents, Irene Mary Chang Oi Ling who will defend the Bukit Assek seat and David Wong Kee Woan in the Pelawan seat.
Another incumbent for the Tanjung Batu seat, Chiew Chin Sing, was not listed because he decided to retire from politics.
Ching Sing will be replaced by his son, Tony Chiew to represent DAP as a candidate.
Other candidates announced today are Granda Aing for the Tasik Biru seat, Chang Hong Siong (Mambong), Laerry Jabong (Kedup), Brolin Nicholsion Benedict Achung (Bukit Semuja), Leon Jimat Donald (Simanggang) and Philip Wong Pak Min (Repok) .
Also nominated are Yong Siew Wei (Meradong), Solomon Kumbong (Pelagus), Joseph Jingut (Bukit Goram), Kenneth Lagong (Baleh), John Bryan (Kemena), Tonny Ung (Samalaju), Peter Hee Leh Keng (Piasau), Alan Ling Sie Kiong (Pujut) and Marcus Hugo (Senadin).