P'sula-born among 12 SAPP hopefuls

Kota Kinabalu: Six new faces, including a "Sabahan of peninsula origin", are among 12 Sabah Progressive Party (SAPP) candidates who will be contesting under the Gabungan Sabah (GS) opposition pact in the coming 14th General Election (GE14).Johor-born entrepreneur Gee Tien Siong, 45, will be contesting the Luyang state seat.

He will become the first peninsula-born citizen to contest in the Sabah elections.

Gee, a father of two, was born in Kluang but came to Sabah when he was 10.

He is the elder brother of artist Gee Tian Long.

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SAPP President Datuk Yong Teck Lee, who was named as the party's sole parliamentary candidate, will be contesting in Kota Kinabalu for the first time.

Other new faces in the SAPP line-up include former State Finance Minister Datuk Mohammad Noor's daughter, Noraiza Mohammad Noor, 47, who will be contesting in Tanjung Aru.

Business executive John Stephen Dionysius, 46, will be contesting in Inanam, while professional photographer and youth activist Lim Kat Chung in Api-Api.

Businessman and SAPP founding member Wong Yu Chin, 53, will be contesting in Lahad Datu, while entrepreneur Pang Thou Chung in Sri Tanjung.

Former Penampang District Council Deputy Chairman Chong Pit Fah, 57, will be standing in Kapayan while former Development Leader Jimmy Jawatah, 55, in Melalap.

Agriculturist Aloyius Danim Siap, 64, will be contesting in Moyog, while businessman Japiril Suhaimin, who once served as the Malaysian Human Rights Commission Sabah Secretary, will be contesting in Kundasang.

Tuaran-born Richard Yong We Kong, 61, will be contesting in Likas. Yong, who is SAPP Secretary-General, has been actively involved in politics for 30 years.

Former Luyang Assemblywoman Melanie Chia Chui Ket said the party's candidates were chosen after a stringent vetting process.

"Among the criteria in their selection is they must be resilient in many aspects, including financial standing.

"This is to ensure that they are not vulnerable to any corruption practice as well as knowledgeable and firmly behind our struggle for Sabah rights," she said after announcing the candidates at the Lintas Platinum Hotel, here, Wednesday.

She also noted that Noraiza who joined the party in 2014 was dedicated to the party's struggle.

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"She chose to join SAPP at one of our lowest points after the 2013 polls, which reflects her dedication to our struggle for Sabah rights," said Chia who will not be contesting in the GE14 as she is now SAPP's Director of Operations.

"We need a commander in chief to lead our campaign team who will be working very hard as well as being on the lookout for any wrongdoings by our opponents such as propagating lies and smear tactics." She added. - Locksley Ng

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