Battle for Batu Kawah most watched in Sarawak polls

Named after a stone crater, the constituency with 62 per cent Chinese and 36 per cent Bumiputera voters will determine the fate of SUPP president Senator Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian as the battle for urban seats takes centre stage once again.

SUPP and four BN direct candidates, all former SUPP members, are mounting the challenge against DAP and PKR in the 15 Chinese-majority areas at stake.

In 2011, DAP captured 12 and PKR took one, all at the expense of SUPP which retained only one Chinese seat, Bawang Assan.

This is the biggest election in Sarawak history with the battlefield expanded from 71 to 82 seats.

BN won Bukit Sari and Bukit Kota uncontested on nomination day, leaving 35 straight fights, 28 three-cornered, 12 four-cornered and five five-cornered contests for the 80 seats left to be decided Saturday.

Closely-watched contests: Batu Kawah (N14): A key battle ground for BN with SUPP president Senator Datuk Dr Sim Kui Hian going up against DAP incumbent Christina Chiew and independent Liu Thian Leong, former UPP chairman of the area. This is Dr Sim's second bid in the state polls after losing in Pending in 2011. Chiew beat Tan Joo Phoi (SUPP) by 543 votes in 2011. Ba'Kelalan (N81): This battle in the Bario highlands is a repeat of the 2011 face-off between PKR state chief Baru Bian and his nephew and BN choice Willie Liau to woo the dominant Lun Bawang natives. Baru won by 473 votes the last time. Willie is one of five SPDP candidates in the election.

Batu Kitang (N13): A new seat eyed by five candidates -- Lo Khere Chiang (BN), Voon Shiak Ni (PKR), Abdul Aziz Isa (DAP), Sulaiman Kadir (independent), Datuk Seri Othman Bojeng (independent). Batu Kitang is carved out of DAP-held areas Kota Sentosa and Batu Kawah. Bawang Assan (N53): Sole Chinese-majority seat won by BN's Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh in 2011. Now a BN direct candidate, Wong is standing for a fifth term against Chiew Sung Ngie (DAP), Wong Sing Wei (Star) and independents Watson Bangau and Yeu Bang Keng. In 2011, Wong contested under SUPP and beat DAP's Alice Lau with a 1,808 majority. Two years ago, Wong left SUPP to form UPP but resigned from the splinter group to stand as a BN direct candidate in this election. At 73, he is the oldest candidate and is said to have strong backing from the significant 40 per cent Iban voters.

Dudong (N52): A five-way affair for DAP incumbent Yap Hoi Liong, Datuk Tiong Thai King (BN), Ting Yik Hong (PKR) and independents Casper Kayong Umping and Lee Chung Fatt. In 2011, Yap beat closest rival Tiong in a three-man contest by 317 votes while spoilt votes totalled 211. Tiong was then with SUPP, he was in the group that left to form UPP and quit the splinter party to stand as a BN direct candidate.

Repok (N45): Two fresh BN and DAP antagonists, Datuk Seri Hiong Tiong Sii (SUPP) and Yong Siew Wei respectively, are vying for the seat won by DAP's Dr Wong Hua Seh in 2011 in a three-way fight. Independent Wong Chin King, a former DAP member, could split the votes. Meradong (N46): A straight fight between DAP's two-term incumbent Ting Tze Fui and BN's Ding Kuong Hiing (SUPP) who is former Sarikei Member of Parliament. BN may have a good chance here as voters are reportedly unhappy with the lack of service by DAP. In the 2013 general election, Ding lost by 505 votes in Sarikei which encompasses Meradong. Senadin (N75): BN incumbent Datuk Lee Kim Shin (SUPP) retained the seat with 58 votes in a straight fight with PKR in this mixed constituency in 2011. He faces native rivals this time, Lun Bawang candidate Baru Langub (DAP) and Iban Philemon John Edan (PBDSB). This is a 50 per cent Chinese-50 per cent Bumiputera area.

Pujut (N74): A four-horse race among Dr Ting Tiong Choon (DAP), Datuk Hii King Chionh (BN) and independents Jofri Jaraie and incumbent Fong Pau Teck who was sacked from DAP in 2013. Businessman Hii, who resigned from UPP to stand as a BN direct candidate, is a well-known philanthropist among the various communities and has a strong chance against Dr Ting, who is a new face and not a local. Piasau (N73): A battle of the secretaries-general of DAP and SUPP, Alan Ling Sie Kiong and Datuk Sebastian Ting respectively. It is a tough fight for the BN candidate against Ling who was dubbed "giant-killer" after beating then SUPP president Tan Sri George Chan with 1,590 votes in 2011.