Mas Gading expected to have most number of candidates in coming polls

Posted on June 19, 2012, Tuesday

KUCHING: Out of the 31 parliamentary constituencies in the state, Bidayuh majority Mas Gading is expected to see the most number of candidates in the coming general election.

Words from the grapevine have it that the various national as well as local based opposition parties have been indicating their interest to contest against Barisan Nasional (BN) in Mas Gading.

It is also said that Democratic Action Party (DAP) will nominate Mordi Bimol, a special assistant to Bandar Kuching MP Chong Chieng Jen, while Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) is likely to be represented by Willy Tumik.

Besides DAP and PKR, Sarawak National Party (SNAP) and another local based opposition State Reform Party (STAR) are also said to have identified their potential candidates for the constituency.

Sources said SNAP will most likely be fielding its secretary general Frankie Nyumboi while STAR may nominate former Mas Gading MP Patrick Anek Uren.

If all the parties, including BN, are to put up their candidates there, it would mean that the constituency will see at least five candidates, excluding independents.

Punters said one of the reasons why the opposition parties were very keen to contest in Mas Gading was to take advantage of the recent happenings in Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP), a BN component party.

In the last election, Mas Gading saw a four-cornered fight between BN candidate Datuk Dr Tiki Lafe, Dr Patau Rubis (SNAP) and independents Favian Tisen and Apin Baeng.

If the number of independents remains the same, there is every likelihood that Mas Gading will see six or even seven-cornered fight.

However, that will depend on whether the opposition parties will agree to a free-for-all fight or compromise and agree to let only the most winnable candidate contest.

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