BINTULU: Five-term Bintulu incumbent Datuk Sri Tiong King Sing is already drawing up plans for the future even before the first ballot is cast in the constituency.

The GPS candidate who is seeking a sixth term is up against DAP’s Chiew Chan Yew and Duke Janteng from PN representing Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) in this general election.

But he said he was already grooming a youth to take over from him when the time comes for him to retire.

The individual is from Bintulu and there is still a lot of training that needs to be done because the individual has no experience in politics, he revealed without identifying him.

“When the time comes, I will step back and let that person take my place,” he said, reiterating that eventually it would be time for him to retire.

But before that happens, Tiong who is PDP president said he feels responsible to ensure his successor can serve Bintulu well.

“So, I ask the individual to understand the hearts and needs of the people,” he said in the hope of eventually handing over to that individual because there is no ‘forever’ in politics.

“I will never ask my son to replace me, and then my grandson to replace my son,” he said via Facebook Live, yesterday.

“That is not my political thought,” he added.

Tiong became Bintulu Member of Parliament in 1999 and in GE11, he successfully defended the seat while in GE-12, Tiong managed to retain the seat.

In GE13, Tiong again got to keep his seat and repeated the success in GE14 which was held in 2018.

The Bintulu parliamentary area has 113,599 registered voters for this election.