Defiant Wong Tack to stand as independent after dropped by DAP for Bentong

DAP's incumbent MP for Bentong, Wong Tack, today announced that he would defend his seat as an independent after the party said he would be replaced by Ketari assemblyman Young Syefura Othman in the 15th general election (GE15). 

He also said he had been told by DAP that he was "not fit" for its overall strategy for the Nov 19 polls.

Speaking at a press conference, Wong said he had been fielded as a candidate in Bentong since 2013. 

"After the success of Himpunan Hijau, I was sent in by the grassroots to contest in GE13," he said, referring to his environmental movement which had been at the forefront of protests against the Lynas rare earth processing plant in Gebeng, Kuantan.

He said Lim Guan Eng, the DAP secretary-general at the time, said the party had "reached an understanding" that he would stand as its candidate for Bentong, and that this would have "a positive impact" for the then Pakatan Rakyat pact. 

"Today, DAP decided to end this understanding," he added. 

Earlier today, Lim's successor Anthony Loke Siew Fook said Wong had turned down an offer to be fielded in Cameron Highlands instead at the election this time around. 

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

Bentong, traditionally seen as a Barisan Nasional fortress, was held by MCA's Liow Tiong Lai from 1999 to 2018. 

While Wong contested the seat at the 2013 polls, it was not until the next election in 2018 that he defeated Liow. 

Speaking today, he said that people decide on their own paths and destinies. 

"The choice is ours," he added. "We have no interest in playing political games, particularly party politics. 

"The people are not pawns in a game of chairs." 

He added that he would continue to serve in his home town, saying he remained committed to serving the people.