P212 Sibu - Robert Lau(BN) vs Wong Ho Leng(DAP)....

Lawyer Robert Lau Hui Yew, 45, is Barisan Nasional's candidate to defend the Sibu parliamentary seat in the by-election next month.The choice of the Sarawak United Peoples' Party (SUPP) Sibu branch assistant treasurer was announced by Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud in Kuching today.

Abdul Taib said the prime minister had agreed to Lau's candidacy as he fitted the BN's brand new image.

"I must congratulate the SUPP for choosing the best candidate," he said.

Present was Deputy Chief Minister Dr George Chan Hong Nam who is SUPP president. Chan is confident that the people would support the BN and the party, which he said had reinvented itself.

"We picked Lau because we want to give the opportunity to a young and energetic leader in our party to serve the people; it's a new beginning for the party," he said.Chan said Lau's approachable attitude would be his winning trait.

Lau, 45, fondly known as Robert Lau Junior, is the second cousin of the late five-term Sibu MP Datuk Robert Lau Hoi Chew who died on April 9 after a long battle with liver cancer.He has been the favourite for the seat owing to his active participation in party work as well as his friendly approach.

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng announced tonight that the DAP Sarawak chairman and state assemblyman for Bukit Assek, Wong Ho Leng , will be the DAP/Pakatan Rakyat candidate for the upcoming Sibu by-election. Guan Eng made the announcement at a fund raising dinner that in Sibu.

It was attended by DAP leaders including its parliamentary leader, Lim Kit Siang, national vice chairman and MP for Cheras Tan Kok Wai, national treasurer and MP for Bukit Bintang Fong Kui Lun, national vice chairman and MP for Bandar Kuching Chong Chieng Jen, MP for Jelutong Jeff Ooi, sssistant national organising secretary Vincent Wu, and Sarawak DAP deputy chairman and state assemblyperson for Kidurong, Chiew Chin Sing.

Pakatan component parties were represented by PAS' secretary general, Mustafa Ali, PKR Sarawak deputy chairman, Zainal Abidin (who was representing his National President Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Was Ismail who missed her flight earlier in the day) and Johnny Wong of SNAP.

Over 2,000 guests, including significant number of Iban community leaders, attended the dinner.

source:malaysiakini

cheers.