SIBU: Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) candidate for Bawang Assan, Robert Lau Hui Yew has urged the electorate to gauge his service track record there before having their say in the Sarawak state election tomorrow.
Former senator Lau, 56, says his hard work in the state constituency and for its community speaks for itself.
"I served as a Sibu Municipal councillor for 10 years, and then as a member of the Sibu Rural District Council for another four years. The electorate can assess for themselves my service records.
"My services to the people continued when I was appointed a member of the Senate," he told Bernama when asked about his chances in the hot seat eagerly watched by many and dubbed the "Master-Student Mentee" showdown.
His service record in the local community may appear impeccable, but Lau, a lawyer by training, faces a tough task in wresting the seat from the incumbent, Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) president Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh, described by many as his 'political mentor'.
Lau is currently the Sarawak United Peoples' Party (SUPP) Bawang Assan branch chairman.
Wong, 79, meanwhile, is considered a Bawang Assan 'heavyweight', having been its elected representative since 1981 on a Barisan Nasional (BN) ticket.
In the 2016 state election, Wong defended his seat with a 4,131-vote majority in a five-cornered fight before leaving SUPP following internal party issues to form the United Peoples' Party (UPP) before it was rebranded as PSB in 2018.
Wong has expressed confidence that come Sunday, he will be serving his seventh term in Bawang Assan.
Besides Lau and Wong, the other candidates vying for the seat are Michelle Ling Shyan Mih of Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK), DAP's Amy Lau Bik Yin and Independent candidate Ricky Enteri.
The Bawang Assan seat has caught the attention of many, not just because of the GPS-PSB rivalry, but many are touting it a 'Kungfu' showdown between master and student.
Lau was propelled into mainstream politics by Wong, who was then heading the Sibu Barisan Nasional Visionary Team, to contest the Sibu parliamentary by-election in 2010 following the death of the incumbent, Datuk Robert Lau Hoi Chew.
That by-election was eventually won by the late Wong Ho Leng of DAP, but only with a slim majority of 398 votes against Lau who obtained 18,447 votes, and Independent candidate Narawi Haron who managed only 232 votes.
DAP candidate Bik Yieng, 30, meanwhile considers the contest in Bawang Assan an uphill task for her as Lau and Wong were experienced political heavyweights in their own right.
However, observers say among the rest in the ring, she remains the closest competition for the two.
The Bawang Assan seat has 19,650 voters and the electorate is split evenly between Bumiputera and non-Bumiputera voters.
Will the student triumph over his master? Or will there be spoilers? The decision rests with the electorate of Bawang Assan.
-- BERNAMA
Bernama
Fri Dec 17 2021
Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) candidate for Bawang Assan, Robert Lau Hui Yew has urged the electorate to gauge his service track record there before having their say in the Sarawak state election tomorrow. - BERNAMA
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.