DAP may field late MP's daughter to defend Sandakan

As the Election Commission (EC) mulls over the nomination and polling dates for the Sandakan by-election, Sabah DAP is expected to field one of the late MP Stephen Wong's daughters to defend the coastal constituency.

Several party sources said Sabah DAP’s leadership is considering the late incumbent's second daughter Larina Wong and youngest daughter Vivian Wong as potential candidates.

However, it is Vivian, 30, who holds the brightest chance to be fielded as candidate, according to the sources.

“We have two potential candidates. Firstly, Larina who is the lawyer. Secondly, Vivian... but Vivian has a better chance.

“Vivian was her father’s special officer when he became a Sabah state minister after the state fell to Warisan and Harapan. Previously, she worked as an international school teacher.

“This is Sabah DAP's recommendation, of which several central leaders have been informed,” a source told Malaysiakini on the condition of anonymity.

Wong was the Sabah Health and People's Wellbeing Minister. Though he does not hold a state seat, the Sabah constitution does not limit cabinet appointments to state assemblypersons.

He died after suffering a heart attack on March 28, while participating in a jungle run.

The source also said Vivian was warmly received by Sandakan grassroots, hence she stood a better chance of winning the by-election.

In the last general election, Wong retained the Sandakan parliamentary seat with 19,094 votes against 8,996 votes garnered by LDP, which was at the time part of BN.

According to 2018 election data, Sandakan voters comprise 51 percent Chinese, 26 percent Sabah bumiputera, 16 percent Malay, and seven percent being people of other ethnicities.

The Chinese-majority seat is seen as a DAP stronghold.

LDP said it will only decide whether to contest the by-election after the EC has met to decide on the polling date.

“We will wait till EC’s meeting and then to call a meeting to decide,” LDP president Chin Su Phin told Malaysiakini when contacted.

LDP left the BN coalition after the 14th general election.

BN acting president Mohamad Hasan also took a wait-and-see approach on the Sandakan by-election.

“We haven't discussed Sandakan. We will meet after the Rantau by-election,” Mohamad said. - Mkini