SIBU: Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) chairman Datuk Tiong Thai King will be fielded by United People’s Party (UPP) for the Dudong constituency in the next state election.
Party president Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh announced this during a Chinese New Year gathering last Thursday, hosted by UPP Dudong – of which Tiong is the chairman.
Wong viewed Tiong as a ‘seasoned politician’ who should be able to wrest back the Opposition-held seat for Barisan Nasional (BN).
“He (Tiong) has contributed much to the development of Sibu, particularly the Dudong area. I implore UPP members to work hard in helping him win the election,” he added.
Wong also advised members to go to the ground and mingle with the constituents, highlighting UPP as a new BN-friendly party aimed at serving the people.
Tiong, who is former Lanang MP, said while he could not say for certain that the Chinese would support UPP, the party’s main thrust was to fight for the interest of the community.
“We work closely with other BN component parties in bringing benefits to the people and the nation,” he said.
“The next state election is a huge challenge for us,” he said, pointing out that UPP’s survival would depend on the people at large, within the context of democracy.
“This is politics. We’ve nothing to worry if we could truly work hard for the people,” Tiong said.