KUCHING: Parti Aspirasi Rakyat Sarawak (ASPIRASI) has named Bintulu businessman Chieng Lea Phing as its candidate for the Jepak by-election.
He received his ‘surat watikah’ from the party on Tuesday (Oct 17).
ASPIRASI president Lina Soo said Chieng has been a party member since 2014 and he is well-known in Bintulu with business interests in the jewellery and hospitality industries.
“Chieng was born and bred in Bintulu, he is a resident of Jepak constituency. ASPIRASI is a multiracial political party, and its selection of candidates is based on capability to serve the rakyat.
“Our battle cry for the Jepak by-election is ‘One Voice, One Aspiration, One Future for Three Million Sarawakians’,” Soo said in a statement.
Meanwhile, unveiling his plans to service the rakyat in his manifesto, Chieng pledged to use his assemblyman salary for the people of Jepak and not a single cent on himself if he is elected.
Among other things, he said he will start a mini-mart and grocery store to sell food products and everyday essential household necessities at lowest prices.
“I understand the sufferings of the people with inflation and rising costs of goods where many are finding it difficult to put three meals on the table. The mini-mart shall supply food products like vegetables, eggs and cooking oil.
“If the consumer can find the same product cheaper at any other store, the mini-mart shall give the second purchase of the same product free of charge. This is to reduce the costs of living and poverty for the people of Bintulu,” he said.
Chieng urged the voters of Jepak to give themselves a chance to improve their livelihood and future and vote for the peoples’ representative who will fight for them.