SIBU: The four candidates from DAP contesting in Sibu might consist of at least two veterans, a young party leader and a new face, and possibly including a woman.
Words have already spread like wild fire that the SUPP and the DAP would most likely clash in straight fights in Bukit Assek, Pelawan, Bawang Assan and Dudong.
Word from the grapevine is that state DAP chairman Wong Ho Leng, who is also Bukit Assek incumbent, will be defending his seat. He is expected to square off with councillor Chieng Buong Toon.
In Pelawan, the DAP is expected to field its publicity secretary David Wong to face SUPP’s Vincent Goh.
But to most people here, the ‘match’ to watch out for will be in Bawang Assan.
Word on the ground is that the Woman chief of Sibu DAP, Alice Lau, is expected to be fielded to face incumbent Dato Sri Wong Soon Koh.
Soon Koh is SUPP Sibu chief, Second Finance Minister and Minister of Environment and Public Health.
“Will this be a match of throwing an egg onto a stone or will it be a battle of David and Goliath? Let’s watch. This will be the constituency that could be heavily gambled on,” said a political analyst.
In Dudong, the DAP might sent in a young member to wrest the seat from the BN. It is believed that the DAP has two choices here – Stephen Lu or new face Yap Hoi Liong. In the last state election, Lu contested against incumbent Datuk Dr Soon Choon Teck and lost by only 408 votes.
David, when contacted yesterday, said he could not reveal the candidates’ list nor whether he would stand in Pelawan.
He said chairman Wong Ho Leng would announce it.
On his door-to-door visit in Pelawan, he said it was his job as a politician. He did not deny he had been active in the constituency.
His explanation was, “We have to get close to the people to understand their needs.”
According to a party member, these likely candidates have been active for more than a year.
Residents in Sungei Bidut said Wong Ho Leng and Alice Lau had been active there.
“Two might come together. Sometimes, Alice comes alone with her group of workers, especially when Ho Leng is attending the parliamentary session.”
One villager said it was understandable for Ho Leng to visit them because he was the Sibu MP and Sungei Bidut was a part of his constituency.
A villager said he had once asked Lau about her candidacy in Bawan Assan, but a smile was her only reply.
On the popularity of Lau, the villager said the woman chief of Sibu DAP was well received.
In Dudong, it is said both Lu and Yap have been active. They have also stayed close to the people in the door-to-door visit.
Based on the polling results in the Sibu By-election last year, the coming election should be nail-biting moments.
“It is hard to predict the chances of the parties. For examle, Sibu parliamentary seat, which used to be a SUPP stronghold, is now in the hands of the DAP.”