SIBU: The eight-cornered fight in Dudong in the Sarawak state polls tomorrow could only mean one thing - an advantage for the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) candidate, a political analyst said.

He said too many Opposition and Independent contestants in the ring will split the votes of those who preferred candidates other than GPS.

Universiti Malaysia Sabah political analyst Dr Lee Kuok Ting said among the five opposition parties challenging GPS in the state polls, DAP and Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB) were the ones most dominant in securing votes.

"In general, those who are pro-Opposition now have a choice of voting DAP, or PSB, compared to only DAP previously. In other words, PSB is giving DAP a run for its money," he told Bernama.

According to Lee, factors such as strong support from coalition partners such as Sarawak United Peoples' Party (SUPP) and the incumbent Datuk Tiong Thai King will secure more Chinese votes for GPS candidate and PDP president Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.

"To me, SUPP president Datuk Seri Dr Sim Khui Hian and his team have been doing a tremendous job to convince voters that Tiong King Sing is the right choice, and I believe the Chinese electorate will seriously take these efforts into account.

For the record, Dudong is a seat traditionally contested by SUPP but this time around it was given to PDP.

While admitting that decision came as a surprise, Dr Sim was reported to have said that SUPP will be fully behind King Sing to ensure GPS wins the seat.

King Sing, the Bintulu MP who is contesting a state seat for the first time, faces PSB's Wong Hie Ping, Jane Lau Sung of Yee of Parti Bumi Kenyalang (PBK), Julius Enchana Jasper Ancho of Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru (PBDSB), Paul Ling Fong (DAP) and Josephine Lau Kiew Peng from Parti Aspirasi Rakyat Sarawak (Aspirasi).

Also in the fray are two Independent candidates Fadhil Mohamad Isa and Engga Unchat.

Based on his ground reading, Lee said King Sing seems to have the edge for his strong characteristics and commitment in voicing out and championing the people's concerns.

"When I was on the ground, I was quite surprised to find that many Chinese loved his aggressive personality, and it really is a plus point to be able to communicate in Iban as well as Dudong has many from the community there," Lee said.

This is in contrast with the other candidates, whom Lee feels were not very well known by the Dudong community.

King Sing is also seen as a humble leader, and this has scored him brownie points, Lee added.

"He is not arrogant, goes down to meet the people, and gave aid to our temple. I'm confident he will be an effective assemblyman if he wins here," Salim village leader Ten Kim Loong, 63, told Bernama.

-- BERNAMA