Dad’s my hero, PKR’s Cherishe says of ex-rep Dominique

 

Cherishe Ng with her father Dominique Ng at the nomination centre for the Batu Lintang seat at the Dewan Bandaraya Kuching Selatan.

KUCHING: Cherishe Ng was only three months old when she was present at a protest which ended with her father Dominique, the former Padungan assemblyman, being arrested and whisked away in a Black Maria.

Twenty-four years later, the father and daughter were present at the Kuching South City Council today to submit her nomination papers to stand in the Sarawak elections.

The PKR Batu Lintang candidate said it was a long time coming for her to join politics.

“My family has been in politics for decades. I was born into politics and have seen the ins and outs of it. I know how dirty it can be. Of course, I’ve had reservations (about joining politics).

“However, this is the courage that I urge all young people to possess, this is something so important for our democracy especially in Sarawak,” she told FMT after filing her nomination papers.

Being one of the youngest candidates in the elections, Cherishe hoped her participation would inspire the younger generation and women everywhere to get into politics, whether in the background or forefront.

She said she was fortunate her party had entrusted her to represent the people of Batu Lintang, adding that the country would not progress if youths were not given a chance to be in politics.

Dominique said he was proud of his daughter for standing up for the youths, and that there was a need for new faces in politics.

“I’m proud that Cherishe has decided to stand. It’s time for all the young people to have a chance to come up and lead society. Look at the world, there are so many young politicians who are prime ministers. The youths are our future,” he said.

To Cherishe, her father is her hero. “He was encouraging and had taught me what it means to be altruistic, by putting others before myself.”

She said that despite not being able to hold ceramahs due to the Covid-19 SOPs, the use of social media was going to be her campaign strategy.

“I don’t think it will be an issue for the younger generation. However, for the older generation, hopefully, my walkabouts and groundwork in the past year will make up for the lack of ceramahs,” she said.

In terms of being a new face, Cherishe said she was proud to go up against the likes of incumbent Batu Lintang assemblyman See Chee How of PSB and GPS’ Sih Hua Tong, hoping that it would be a good fight.

Apart from See and Sih, she will be facing Parti Bumi Kenyalang candidate Voon Lee Shan and Parti Aspirasi Rakyat Sarawak (Aspirasi) candidate Leong Shaow Tung, making it a five-cornered fight.

Eighty-two seats are up for grabs in the elections, to be held on Dec 18. Early voting will take place on Dec 14. - FMT