Sarawak DAP has identified a 54-year-old lawyer, Sanjan Anak Daik, as a potential candidate to battle for the Mambong seat, a Bidayuh-majority constituency.
Sanjan will take on either a candidate from the United People’s Party (UPP) or Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) in the coming state election.
Formerly known as Bengoh, the seat was renamed Mambong under the latest re-delineation exercise carried out by the Election Commission. It is now represented by Jerip Susil of UPP.
Under the BN agreement and understanding, the seat is to be allocated to SUPP in the next election.
In introducing Sanjan to the media, Sarawak DAP chief Chong Chieng Jen ( left ) said Sanjan would spearhead the DAP's ‘go rural' drive in the Bidayuh heartland.
His priority task would be to meet the voters and look into their complaints and grouses every Thursday, said Chong.
“With his vast experience as a civil servant, I have full confidence that Sanjan will be able to serve the people effectively,” he said, pointing out he was preparing Sanjan for bigger tasks ahead.
A former English language lecturer
Chong, who is the MP for Bandar Kuching, said he was happy to see that more and more Malays and Dayaks had come out to join the DAP and have accepted the party’s struggle for justice and fairness.
“These educated Dayaks and Malays are fully aware of DAP’s fight against corruption, cronyism and abuse of power by the BN,” Chong added.
Sanjan, who recently retired as a lecturer, holds Master’s degree in Education in the teaching of English as a second language from University Teknologi Malaysia and a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of London.
His last position was the head of the Language Department at the Institute of Teacher Education, Batu Lintang.
Asked why he preferred to join DAP, Sanjan said he had been observing the party for years and noted that it had been tirelessly been fighting for justice and fairness for all.
“I want to be counted to be among DAP members and leaders fighting for our people’s rights,” he said.
