Stampin MP says quit decision is final and will not be swayed, even by the prime minister
Datuk Yong Khoon Seng
KUCHING: Stampin MP Datuk Yong Khoon Seng will keep to his decision not to defend the seat in the upcoming general election, even if he were to be approached personally by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to change his mind.
The Deputy Works Minister yesterday said he made the decision to retire from politics three years ago and would remain firm with the decision.
“My decision which I made three years ago would stay.
At the moment, I’ll stick to my decision (even if Prime Minister approaches me),” he told reporters after the ground breaking ceremony of Sarawak Hun Nam Siang T’ng’s new senior citizens residence in Sekama here.
Second Finance Minister Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh, who was the other invited guest at the ceremony, revealed in his speech that he had recommended to Najib that Yong be retained as the candidate for Barisan Nasional (BN).
“I went to see Prime Minister two weeks ago.
He discussed with me some of the possible winnable candidates for Kuching area.
To me, Datuk Yong is still winnable.
That’s why I told the Prime Minister that perhaps he can persuade Datuk Yong to stay.
“I also told Chief Minister (Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud) the same thing. Datuk Yong is very popular on the ground and well respected by the people. If he can be persuaded to carry on for just one more term, the chance is we will have a safe seat under him in Kuching.”
Although Yong had expressed publicly that he would not contest in the 13th general election, he still received nomination from SUPP Batu Lintang branch.
The branch also nominated its chairman Sih Hua Tong, who is also SUPP assistant publicity and information secretary, to defend Stampin seat.
On the other hand, SUPP Batu Kawah nominated prominent criminal lawyer Lim Lian Kee and former Batu Kawah assemblyman Tan Joo Phoi as BN hopefuls for the seat.
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