DAP drops Wong Tack from Bentong after deadlock over seat switch

DAP has dropped environmental activist Wong Tack as its candidate for the Bentong seat in the upcoming election, announcing Young Syefura Othman as the party's choice come Nov 19. 

Wong won the Bentong seat in the May 2018 general election, defeating MCA's Liow Tiong Lai by just over 2,000 votes. 

Young Syefura, meanwhile, is DAP's deputy youth chief and assemblyman for Ketari.

Wong and his Himpunan Hijau movement had been at the forefront of protests against the Lynas rare earth processing plant in Gebeng, Kuantan.

DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook said while the subject of Lynas might be used against the party and Pakatan Harapan, there were also other environmental issues at hand.

Speaking in a press conference to announce DAP's candidates in Pahang today, Loke said this was one of the reasons the party had suggested that Wong contest the Cameron Highlands seat instead. 

He said he and Wong had met on Sunday for a three-hour discussion during which he proposed that Wong be fielded in Cameron Highlands. 

However, he said, Wong declined to accept the offer. 

"After the meet-up, Wong was given 24 hours to respond, but he decided to refuse the suggestion," he said. 

"The party had to make a decision and move on." 

Loke said fielding Young Syefura, popularly known as Rara, in Bentong instead was a "bold and strategic move" as she had been serving in that constituency. 

"We encourage candidates who have a presence in the constituency," he said. 

"This was a decision with months of deliberation and observation." 

Loke added that DAP national vice-chairman Teresa Kok would act as a central executive committee mentor in Bentong, to advise and assist Young Syefura throughout the campaign period. 

He also announced the party's candidates for the seats of Lipis, Cameron Highlands and Raub, which will be contested by Tengku Zulpuri Shah Raja Puji, Chiong Yoke Kong and Chow Yu Hui. 

Tengku Zulpuri is a former Raub MP while Chiong was DAP's assemblyman in Tanah Rata and Chow, its representative in Tras. 

Loke also said that DAP would be contesting eight state assembly seats in Pahang.