KUCHING: Democratic Action Party (DAP) Sri Aman chief Leon Jimat Donald on Sunday night gave a strong indication that he was interested to
stand in the coming state election.
OLD FRIENDS: Voon (standing) shaking hands with Leon Jimat Donald, as Chong Chieng Jen (second left) and others look on.
He gave the hint at the DAP ‘Youths Lead The Change’ dinner here on Sunday when he told national party leaders and the audience that DAP Sri Aman had now registered close to 2,000 members.
“This shows the Pakatan Rakyat (the opposition pact which DAP is part of) is gaining support there,” he said.
Leon, the son of former Sri Aman MP Jimmy Donald, is said to be a prospective candidate for the Simanggang seat.
He took charge of previously dormant DAP Sri Aman branch in 2000.
In a popular social networking website, he had even posted photographs of himself and his supporters canvassing for support at longhouses in the area.
DAP is said to be gunning for 20 to 25 seats including rural seats in the coming election. In 2006, it contested in 11 seats, mainly in urban areas and won six.
Simanggang is also eyed by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and Sarawak National Party (SNAP), and seat allocation among Pakatan parties have yet to be finalised despite the state election drawing nearer.
Meanwhile, the 120-table dinner at a restaurant here was a sell-out.
The DAP leaders invited to the dinner included its national leadership committee member and Puchong MP Gobind Singh Deo, its Socialist Youth (Dapsy) chairman Anthony Loke (Rasah MP) and Penang Chief Minister’s political secretary Zairil Khir Johari.
Also at the dinner were DAP Sarawak secretary Chong Chieng Jen (Bandar Kuching MP) and treasurer Violet Yong (Pending assemblywoman). Chong is also DAP national vice chairman while Violet also holds the post of Dapsy vice chairwoman.
They all gave their speeches, which were in Mandarin, Hokkien, English and Malay. Wong King Wei and and Christina Chiew, who are prospective election candidates for seats in Kuching, also spoke during the dinner.
DAP Sarawak former treasurer Voon Lee Shan, who is Batu Lintang assemblyman, however left the dinner early.