BINTULU (Oct 27): Tanjong Batu incumbent Johnny Pang Leong Ming is well aware that his victory in 2021 was thanks to a very slim 23-vote majority.

He said the narrow win has been constantly in his mind during his time as the area’s elected representative.

Pang, who is from Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) component Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) polled 4,092 votes against the Democratic Action Party’s (DAP) Chiew Chan Yew, who managed 4,069 votes, ending DAP’s 20-year hold on the seat.

“Twenty-three votes. A number I will never forget for the rest of my life,” he said when reflecting on his five years in office.

Recalling the closely fought election, Pang said his team began visiting communities three years earlier to introduce themselves, listen to residents, and understand their aspirations.

He said the slim majority reinforced his determination to fulfil his responsibilities and serve the people to the best of his abilities.

Over the past five years, Pang said his team has worked on issues involving roads, drainage, flood mitigation, water supply, schools, healthcare, community facilities, and places of worship.

Based on a preliminary compilation, Pang said his team has helped coordinate and secure over RM100 million in development and community-related allocations for the constituency.

He said the team was active during Covid-19 relief efforts, distributing food and essential supplies to families and assisting healthcare workers during the vaccination programme.

The 2025 Bintulu floods were another defining experience, he said, as the team helped affected residents with flood relief and post-flood clean-up operations.

Pang thanked his team, government departments, community leaders, and residents for their support, while acknowledging that some projects remained ongoing and required further work.

“The people who truly deserve to evaluate my performance are the voters of Tanjong Batu,” he said.