Sarawak Polls: Eight-cornered fight makes Dudong hottest seat

Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) candidate Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, who is also president of the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) and contesting for the first time in the state election, will be up against seven opponents.

They are Wong Hie Ping of Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB); Jane Lau Sung Yee of Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK); Julius Enchana Jasper Ancho (Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru or PBDSB); Paul Ling Fong (DAP) and Josephine Lau Kiew Peng of Parti Aspirasi Rakyat Sarawak (Aspirasi).

Also competing against Tiong, the Bintulu Member of Parliament, are Independents Fadhil Mohamad Isa and Engga Unchat.

Election Commission (EC) chairman, Datuk Ghani Salleh, in a press conference, announced that only the Dudong seat will witness an eight-cornered fight.

The EC has received and confirmed a total of 349 nomination papers for candidates who are eligible to contest the upcoming state polls.

Four-cornered contests are the most common in the state election, involving 33 state seats, while five-cornered fights are set to take place in 24 seats, three-cornered (in 13 seats), six-cornered (seven), and a straight fight in four seats.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister, Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, who is also Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) president and GPS chairman, is up against three new faces in a four-cornered contest in Gedong, while Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) president, Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian, will face a four-cornered fight in Batu Kawah.

Also involved in a four-cornered contest is state DAP chairman, Chong Chieng Jen, in Padungan, while PSB president, Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh (Bawang Assan), and PBK president, Voon Lee Shan (Batu Lintang), will face five-cornered fights.

Of the four straight fights, three will involve clashes between GPS and PSB candidates, namely in Pantai Damai, Layar and Tamin, while in Dalat, the contest is between GPS and PBK.

The campaign period for the Sarawak polls starts today until 11.59 pm on Dec 17, while early voting will take place on Dec 14, with polling day on Dec 18.