Ting (second left) becomes the second woman candidate from STAR after Lau (second right), while (from left) Wong, Tiong and Moh look on.
SIBU: A multi-cornered fight in Dudong is now inevitable as the State Reform Party (STAR) announced businesswoman Mary Ting Yiik Hong, 49, as their candidate for the seat today (April 17).
STAR secretary-general Simon Tiong made the announcement at a press conference at their party office here, saying they had achieved their first goal of fielding candidates in the five constituencies here, namely Bawang Assan, Bukit Assek, Nangka, Pelawan and Dudong.
With the announcement, STAR became the latest party to join the fray in Dudong after state BN chairman Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem named Datuk Tiong Thai King as direct BN candidate for the constituency on Thursday.
This meant that Sibu-born Ting, a graduate from the University of New South Wales, Australia in the field of modern languages and the only woman candidate in Dudong, would face-off with both BN and DAP candidates along with former Radio Television Malaysia (RTM) broadcaster, independent candidate Casper Kayong, who wanted to present himself as a BN-friendly candidate.
Ting, who holds a Master in Business Administration (MBA), said her mission was to create awareness among Sarawakians on the “truth about Sarawak”.
She, however, declined to rate her chances in Dudong, being a newcomer and up against more experienced politicians.
Ting also does not see a problem in being the only woman candidate in Dudong as she squares off with her male opponents.
“I think in this day and age so long as you speak the truth, society will accept you. So, I don’t think this is a problem at all,” she said when asked.
On support from the Bumiputera community in Dudong, she said she has a strong team to support her.
The former English and Business lecturer said she had been travelling between Sarawak and Sabah when she held the post of pharmaceutical manager.
On why she decided to contest in Dudong, she said it was rather coincidental as Dudong was the only vacant constituency left for the party, having already named candidates in the other four constituencies here.
Ting was the second woman fielded by STAR after the party announced Priscilla Lau as its candidate for Pelawan constituency recently.
All of the party’s candidates are first-timers this coming state election.
Earlier, Tiong, who is also the party’s Nangka candidate, spoke at length on the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
Also present at the press conference were Wong Sing Wei (Bawang Assan), Moh Hiong Kiong (Bukit Assek) and Lau (Pelawan).