Datuk Yong Khoon Seng
KUCHING: Stampin MP Datuk Yong Khoon Seng said he was happy that his party SUPP has finally nominated a young and capable candidate in lawyer Wilfred Yap to succeed him.
“Now I can finally retire happily,” the five-term MP said, heaving a sigh of relief.
On the other hand, he would not comment whether Yap would be the most winnable candidate for Stampin except to say that if it was the party’s decision, it must therefore be respected. Yong is Deputy Minister of Works.
Prior to yesterday’s decision, the party announced that it was still undecided on who between Yap and MPP chairman Lo Khere Chiang should be recommended to the Barisan Nasional as its Stampin parliamentary candidate.
At one time Yong even quipped that there were four party members able to succeed him but he never revealed their names except to say that the four had sometimes followed him around whenever he went to the ground to meet people.
Meanwhile, Yap told The Borneo Post that the announcement came as a surprise.
“I didn’t expect to be nominated. I have been in the party for 20 years and was a little bit surprised at the confidence given to me.”
He pointed out that SUPP president Datuk Seri Peter Chin Fah Kui had spoken about the party’s transformation plan which included giving young blood the chance to serve the party and the people.
“This is part of it, and it shows that they mean what they say,” Yap said.
He thanked the party and its members for their support and said he would try his best.
When met after the SUPP Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting yesterday at the party headquarters, Lo said he was surprised but then again he believed in the decision of the CWC.
He explained that he respected the decision.
“The decision must be respected as it is one made by the majority. There must be a good reason why the CWC has arrived at the decision,” he said.
Yong is SUPP vice chairman. Yap is SUPP Central Youth secretary and Kota Sentosa branch Youth chief while Lo is SUPP Kota Sentosa branch secretary.