Commenting on a news report that local farmer Wong Seng Yee would be entering the fray, Chiong told FMT the voters’ choice would still come down to either PH or Barisan Nasional (BN).

“A third party will not make much of an impact in Tanah Rata,” he said. “But I’m ready in the event that there is a three-cornered fight.

“I believe people will choose either BN or PH because they see that only one of these two sides can form the government.”

According to the New Straits Times, Wong, 39, is contesting as a representative of the Cameron Highlands Agricultural Cooperative Association. He has reportedly vowed to fight for the right of farmers to secure land.

NST also said his manifesto contained a promise to push for a “highlands agro blueprint”.

Chiong, who heads DAP Youth’s education bureau, admitted that he was surprised by the news about Wong.

“There are so many rumours regarding who is going to contest in Tanah Rata and I’m not sure which one is true and which one is false,” he added.

In the last general election, DAP’s Leong Ngah Ngah wrested the seat from BN’s Ho Yip Kap, winning 59% of the votes. It was a three-cornered fight in which independent candidate Cheam May Choo received only 3.1% of the votes.

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