Wong Tack Likely To Make Way For Syefura In Bentong

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Pahang DAP is expected to carry out a thorough reshuffle of their four parliamentary candidates for the 15th general election (GE15).
Multiple sources told Malaysiakini that incumbent Bentong MP Wong Tack will not be picked to defend his seat and will be replaced by incumbent Ketari state assemblyperson Young Syefura Othman.
If so, Syefura (above, left), seen as a rising star in the party, would be expected to fight against MCA former president Liow Tiong Lai in Bentong.
As for Wong (above, right), the ball is in his court now as a highly placed DAP source revealed the party leadership did not drop Wong altogether but instead has offered him to contest in Cameron Highlands.
“What I understand is the party’s central leadership is still waiting for his answer. Hopefully, he will make a decision by this evening,” the source said.
If Wong refuses to accept the offer, it is as good as giving up the chance to contest in GE15, the source added.
However, a DAP grassroots leader strongly hinted that Wong will be contesting in GE15 no matter what decision was made by the party.
“He already told us he will definitely contest in GE. Let’s wait for the announcement this week,” he said.
Malaysiakini has reached out to Wong for his views but has not received a response on the matter.
Meanwhile, a photo of Wong meeting with DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke, accompanied by former DAP member Hew Kuan Yau two days ago, has revealed some clues.
Anthony Loke (from left) meeting Wong Tack, Hew Kuan Yau“I am honoured to witness a sincere and rational discussion between Loke and Wong on the ‘grand strategy’ for this GE.
“This would affect the communication for the big picture on Nov 19. We hope for victory,” said Hew who posted the photo on Facebook two days ago.
It is believed the meeting was held to discuss the offer for Wong to contest in Cameron Highlands.
Wong, who was first known as an anti-Lynas activist, made his first election debut in 2013 but lost to Liow by 379 votes in Bentong, before turning the tables in GE14 with a winning majority of 2,032 votes.
However, Pakatan Harapan’s inability to deliver on the promise of shutting the Australian-owned Lynas rare earth refinery plant in Gebeng, Kuantan after coming to power, has left Wong open to a lot of criticism.
DAP’s Pahang conquests
Malaysiakini learned that incumbent Tanah Rata assemblyperson Chiong Yoke Kong is tipped to take over running for the Cameron Highlands parliamentary seat, should Wong decline the offer.
When contacted today, Chiong did not confirm the matter and stressed that this would be announced by the party within this week.
“I will let the party announce (whether I have been chosen to contest in Cameron Highlands),” he answered briefly.
Syefura also said candidate arrangements will be announced by Loke this week.
Incumbent Ketari state assemblyperson Young Syefura OthmanLater today, the DAP headquarters informed the media that the party will hold a press conference tomorrow at 11am to announce their parliamentary candidates for Pahang.
Besides Bentong and Cameron Highlands, Pahang DAP will contest in Raub and Lipis.
Another DAP source told Malaysiakini that there were two potential candidates for Raub, the incumbent MP Tengku Zulpuri Shah Raja Puji, and Tras assemblyperson Chow Yu Hui.
Meanwhile, Lipis is a new parliamentary seat assigned to DAP for this election and it is understood that the party might field a new face with a civil service background.
This would be the first time the party will contest in Lipis after a 36-year gap. - Mkini

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