SANDAKAN: Vivian Wong Shir Yee, daughter of late Sandakan Member of Parliament Datuk Stephen Wong Tien Farr, has vowed to continue her late father's political and work principles.
The 30-year-old who has worked alongside her late father said they received all kinds of complaints from the people.
"My father never refused to help the rakyat. Some brought their sick children and needed money. There were also those with complaints which were not within our ability (to resolve).
"However, being a bridge between the people and the government, we needed to look into their problems and resolve them.
"This is the right time for me to take over the responsibility and continue my father’s legacy,” she said here today,
Wong said speculation that she was picked as a candidate due to the possibility of sympathy votes does not arise.
She was confident the voters would elect her because she has the necessary capability and political experience.
On how she plans to develop Sandakan if she wins, Wong said she would focus her efforts on the Sabah seaside town dubbed as "Little Hong Kong" through tourism.
This includes establishing new attractions and improving existing tourism infrastructure.
"Before we upgrade the Sandakan airport runway, we have to be ready to find ways on how to create new attractions because Sandakan has the flora and fauna as well as history.
"When this is in place, our economy would improve with more job opportunities. Then the young people who migrated elsewhere might want to return," she said.
Wong said her other tasks included improving public facilities as well as the people's welfare and health.
The death of Stephen Wong on March 28 has necessitated the by-election.
Vivian Wong is expected to face Linda Tsen of PBS as well as independents in the polls.
The Election Commission had fixed tomorrow as nomination day, early voting on May 7 and polling day on May 11.
In the 14th General Election, Stephen Wong had obtained 19,094 votes, defeating BN candidate Datuk Lim Ming Hoo who garnered 8,996 votes.
Sandakan has 39,777 registered voters - 49 per cent Chinese, 44 per cent Muslim Bumiputera and six per cent non-Muslim Bumiputera.