Johor Polls: DAP Picks young Female Lawyer to Defend Mengkibol Seat

KLUANG, June 18 (Bernama) -- DAP tonight announced 33-year-old lawyer Chu Poh Yee as its first candidate for the upcoming Johor state election, fielding her to defend the Mengkibol seat.

Party secretary-general Anthony Loke said with the announcement, incumbent assemblyman Chew Chong Sin, who has served the constituency for two terms, will make way for a new face.

Loke said Chew is being considered for the Labis parliamentary seat in the next General Election after incumbent MP Pang Hok Liong indicated that he would not seek another term.

“We have identified the incumbent for this area (Chew) as having the potential to be fielded as a parliamentary candidate.

“As the current Labis MP has expressed his intention not to contest again, Chew will be nominated for the seat,” he said at the candidate announcement ceremony here tonight, which was also attended by Johor DAP chairman Teo Nie Ching.

Loke said the party leadership had unanimously agreed to nominate Chu to fill the vacancy, citing her strong track record in assisting local elected representatives in handling legal aid-related cases.

“We believe she is a winnable candidate with strong educational credentials and proficiency in multiple languages. Most importantly, she has close ties to the Mengkibol constituency.

“This is in line with the party’s aspiration to provide greater opportunities for women candidates,” he said.

Meanwhile, Loke confirmed that the party’s selection committee has finalised DAP’s list of candidates for the 17 state seats it will contest in the state election.

He said the total comprises 10 incumbent-held seats, including Mengkibol, four seats previously lost by the party that it intends to contest again, and three additional seats.

“This Saturday, I will announce four more candidates for Tiram, Johor Jaya, Senai and Bukit Permai.

“The remaining candidates will be announced together with the other Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidates next Monday by the Prime Minister,” he said.

-- BERNAMA