Too early to reveal candidates for general election — DAP

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TOP SECRET: (From left) Chong, King Wei and his assistant Awang Saifeluddin at the press conference.

KUCHING: DAP Sarawak yesterday said it was still too early to reveal its potential candidates for the coming general election.

Its assistant publicity secretary Wong King
Wei said there was nothing to be revealed yet though several candidates and potential seats have been identified.

King Wei, who is also Padungan assemblyman, said DAP had recently formed a committee to handle candidacy and seat negotiations with other Pakatan Rakyat partners.

The committee comprised DAP Sarawak chairman Wong Ho Leng, advisor Chong Siew Chiang, secretary Chong Chieng Jen and treasurer Violet Yong.

On another matter, King Wei called on the state government to share the profit of its government-linked companies (GLCs) with Sarawakians.

He told reporters here during a press conference at DAP service centre that the Sarawak government should follow the example of the Selangor Pakatan Rakyat government.

“The Pakatan Rakyat government has given out RM100 vouchers to senior citizens under the ‘Jom Shopping’ scheme and that has cost them about RM7 million,” King Wei revealed.

He said the wealth of GLCs belonged to the people and its profit should therefore be shared fairly with the people.

King Wei, citing from an annual report of Sarawak Energy Bhd, a Sarawak government’s GLC, said its profit in 2007 was RM337 million but decreased to RM276 million and RM217 million in 2008 and 2009 respectively.

“Even though the profit has decreased, the profit is still a huge amount, but the director’s remuneration increased every year as reported in the report. The policy of Sarawak government is to benefit the cronies of Barisan Nasional, rather that the people at large,” he said.

He would be going to Balai Ringin today (Sept 6) with a few members from Kuching to attend the annual general meeting of Balai Ringin DAP branch.

“There would be a briefing on the preparation for the coming paliamentary election,” King Wei said.

He would also meet Sri Aman DAP branch chairman Leon Jimat Donald.

King Wei said from there his entourage would move to Simanggang to meet voters and then to inspect Sri Aman hospital.

“The BN government had announced it would improve the facilities of the national hospital before the last state election but until now nothing has happened. This is urgent – I urge the government to do it soon to benefit needy patients,” he said.