KUCHING, May 4 — The two contenders for Pending in the state polls have much in common — both are 38 years old, they are lawyers and they went to the same high school, where they were in fact classmates — but when it comes to politics they are poles apart.

DAP’s Violet Yong is vying for a third term as the Pending assemblyman, and determined to stop her is Barisan Nasional’s Milton Foo, from the Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP).

In an interview at DAP’s state headquarters here, Yong admitted that Foo is actually her friend but she has put that on hold in the straight fight.

“Yes, Foo is someone I have known for a long time, but this does not change anything. I will be going all out so that I can continue serving the people of Pending for their benefit,” she said.

She said there were issues in the seat that the state government had continued to neglect.

“I will continue to bring up such issues with the state government to carry out the necessary improvements and corrective measures for the sake and betterment of the people,” she said.

Yong pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the 2006 polls when she defeated SUPP secretary general Datuk Sim Kheng Hui.

In the last state election, there was little doubt that she would retain her seat when she was challenged by SUPP president Dr Sim Hui Kian. Yong even increased her majority from 4,372 votes in 2006 to 7,595 in 2011.

With 30,488 registered voters, Pending, Padungan and Batu Lintang are all Chinese-majority seats under the Bandar Kuching parliamentary constituency and they were all represented by opposition party members.

Foo knows he has an uphill fight against Yong but is undeterred.

“Yong is an old friend and we are on good terms. But the focus for me now is how I can best serve the people, how I can solve whatever problems they are facing, and what aspirations I can realise for them,” he said at a press conference at the SUPP headquarters.

Foo said he would address issues like flash floods and squatters if he is given the mandate.

“I might not be the elected representative for Pending yet but I have informed our chief minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem of the on-going problems. I have plans and strategies in the pipeline not only to solve the problems, but also to develop the constituency,” he said.

Foo also revealed that he has been working tirelessly in convincing the people to make the right choice.

“We have been going door to door to convince the people that we can be more proactive, effective and efficient, as only a BN government can champion the rights of everyone, regardless of race, colour or creed,” he said.

“To be fair, Yong has performed her duties as an assemblywoman. But if I am elected, I will do more for the people, especially in terms of tackling issues more effectively.”