Contesting as an independent candidate.
Undaunted by his defeat in the Semenyih state by-election three years ago, social activist Kuan Chee Heng has announced his intentions to contest in the upcoming 15th general election with an upgrade to the Puchong parliament seat.
Since his 2019 defeat in Semenyih as an independent candidate, the world has experienced a global pandemic and become more familiar with Kuan, who goes by the moniker Uncle Kentang, through his numerous charitable activities during the difficult times.
The owner of the Facebook account with 453,000 followers posted today that he would contest as an independent candidate again.
He placates netizens by saying “Don’t Worry. After the announcement of candidate names in Puchong, I offer myself as an independent candidate for the P103 constituency.”
His post comes after the BN and Perikatan Nasional candidate announcement last night.
He will challenge Chew Jyh Gang (Gerakan/PN), Syed Ibrahim Kader (Kimma/BN) and Yeo Bee Yin (DAP/Pakatan Harapan).
“Do you want a candidate who is hard to reach for assistance or do you want a candidate who is accessible and easy to talk to?
“Therefore, I am pleading that this time, we make Puchong the beacon for the voice of the people to be heard in Parliament.
“The voice that truly can represent the people, you, your children, and your family. Don’t miss this opportunity,” read his post.
Kuan also invited volunteers to assist him on nomination day at the Dewan Puchong Indah, Selangor on Nov 5.
Kuan said Puchong constituents had an alternative choice and one who was a local and not an outsider.
“Puchong people have an alternative choice. Someone who is local, a rubber tapper’s son and who understands the problems faced,” he said.
To lend to his roots in Puchong, Kuan reveals that he has been the Parent, Teacher Association president of a school in the constituency for the past 14 years.
Kuan’s Facebook is akin to a charity-orientated notice board that filled appeals to the public on behalf of others who are in distress or in need of various types of assistance and each of these posts is accompanied by his phone number.
Puchong is 52 percent Chinese majority constituency, followed by Malay 37 percent, Indian ten percent and one percent, others.
It has remained a DAP and Gobind Singh Deo stronghold for the past three terms after he won the seat with a sizeable majority of 12,593 votes in 2008.
Gobind’s candidacy in this general election has shifted to Damansara while incumbent Bakri MP Yeo will shift from Johor to defend the Puchong seat. – Malaysiakini