KUCHING: Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK) President Voon Lee Shan does not rule out the possibility of not contesting in the 15th general election (GE15) at the eleventh hour before nomination day on Saturday (Nov 5) – due to lack of funds.
Although he has received the candidate appointment letter (watikah) issued by Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB), he has not made any final decision yet.
“The problem I have now is to raise enough money to pay for a deposit, which is RM15,000 on nomination day, in order to contest in the general election,” he said at a press conference held at his law firm today.
“Besides, I have not decided whether to contest in Bandar Kuching or Stampin,” he said.
Voon explained that Lue Cheng Hin, 58, a software engineer has also received the watikah from PSB, and it would be up to them to decide in the two urban seats.
“What I can assure you is that both of us are the potential candidates for these two seats; and we can decide among ourselves,” he said.
Voon said he has called on the public to donate and raise funds for his deposit, to enable him to contest in the GE15, to bring the voices of Sarawakians to the Parliament, especially in fighting for more rights under Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
When asked by the reporters regarding a news report published today that he was confirmed as the candidate for Bandar Kuching, Voon refuted that it has been decided.
As I have said, we are still contemplating between the two of us (Lue and him) on which seats we are going to go for but I have no idea why the press just assumed that I will be contesting for Bandar Kuching.
“I am confirmed as a potential candidate but the most important thing right now is to collect enough money first for the deposit,” Voon added.
With PBK forming an alliance with PSB and Parti Bangsa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) for GE15, all of their candidates will contest under the PSB logo except in the Mas Gading constituency where PBK candidates will stick with their own logo.
Meanwhile, Voon also confirmed that Tomson Ango, 57, oil and gas operation manager, will be fighting for the Puncak Borneo constituency.
Others that were confirmed to be in the running are Priscilla Lau, 53, lawyer for Lanang constituency, Leighton Manjah, 57, businessman for Bintulu constituency, Sim Min Leong@Ryan, 42, businessman for Mas Gading constituency and Soekarna Lanyau, businessman for Kanowit constituency.
Among those present at the press conference were Lue and Tomson.
