Confirmed: Wong Siew Ki is DAP's choice for Balakong

DAP today officially announced Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) councillor Wong Siew Ki as the candidate for the Balakong by-election.

The announcement was made by DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, together with Selangor DAP chairperson Tony Pua, at a press conference at the party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur.

"I wish I can call her. YB. She is Wong Siew Ki and she will become the candidate that represents DAP in the Balakong by-election. 

"She is the one we chose. There were a few candidates we nominated but still, we chose Wong with the party's support," he said.

Wong said that she will resign as MPSJ councillor, to focus on the by-election.

Besides, Lim said DAP will use the Pakatan Harapan logo instead of the DAP logo in the upcoming election.

"I told the prime minister about the decision this morning and he is happy with it because this is the first time that DAP will use the Pakatan logo to contest. "

Lim added that the decision was made during DAP meeting last Sunday.

Pua meanwhile, praised Wong as the most hardworking leader in  DAP Selangor.

"She had assisted us in the (GE14) champaign, to do a documentary, many of you may not be aware. "

"We will try our very best to fight in the by-election, as this is not only to protect the Balakong seat, but also a show of support for YB Eddie Ng (photo) who passed away in a car accident," Pua said, calling all in Selangor DAP to help with the campaigning. 

Wong said she is happy and proud to be chosen as a candidate, and said that she will work hard to reach the benchmark left by her predecessor. 

"I have my strengths as I am well-known in Balakong, although I am not originally from there, but the nearby Serdang.

"In the 21 days of the campaign period, we will not only focus on giving speeches (ceramah), but also raise concerns about local issues, such as rubbish problems," she said.

Balakong assemblyperson Eddie Ng was killed after a car accident about 12.40am on July 20, making him the second lawmaker to pass on after the May 9 general election (GE14).

Ng, from DAP, defeated two challengers, Lim Chin Wah (BN) and Mohamad Ibrahim Ghazali (PAS) by a majority of 35,538 votes for the Balakong state seat in GE14.

The nomination date for the by-election has been fixed for Aug 18, with voting to be held on Sept 8.

DAP was initially expected to field former Astro AEC broadcast journalist Yunna Tan, but the plan was scrapped following objections from party grassroots.

In a posting on Facebook today, Tan stated that she respected the decision by DAP leadership to field Wong instead.

"I fully respect the decision DAP candidate selection committee and support the party’s struggle for greater women representation in the legislature.

"I would like to congratulate Wong Siew Ki for being nominated as the candidate for the Balakong state assembly seat. I am more than happy to help her in her campaign to achieve a morale-boosting victory," she said. -Mkini