Pakatan Rakyat has agreed that DAP would be contesting the Dudong state seat, which was initially also claimed by PKR.

This is finally confirmed by local PKR leaders, saying that they will accept the party decision to let go the seat, which is under Lanang parliamentary seat which forms part of Sibu city.

"We will accept the decision and there is no three corners fight (in Dudong)," said Lanang PKR chief George Chen during a press conference in the division office today.

"(This is) to avoid from losing public confidence and fulfill their hope of change, by creating a two political coalition system."  

PKR is claiming the seat because it wants to maintain a minimum presence in three major cities, including Kuching and Miri.

The multiracial party also believes it stands a better chance in Dudong because of the significant number of Iban voters, where they have done a lot of groundwork.

Dudong is classified as a "half urban, half rural" seat with Chinese making the majority while Iban voters forms a third of the electorate.

It is seen as one of the favourable seat for Pakatan because DAP only lost by a slim majority of 408 votes to SUPP’s Soon Choon Teck in the 2006 elections.

DAP to field fresh face

Chen, who is a has been active in the Dudong area for several years, expects his team and supporters to be affected by the decision.

"Lanang PKR division had worked for three years in Dudong, especially in the Iban and Melanau areas, which resulted in 10 branches being formed and an influx of 3,000 members.

"Now, we have lost the chance to contest and the impact on the grassroot's moods is inevitable,” he said.

He said they will focus on the other seats that PKR contests, including the Malay majority Nangka seat which is part of the Sibu parliamentary constituency.

NONE Meanwhile, when asked by reporters earlier this morning, Sarawak DAP chief Wong Ho Leng ( left ) refused to confirm whether the party will contests Dudong in the coming election, starting at Apr 6.

DAP is expected to field a fresh candidate Yap Hoi Liang, who is currently Wong's special assistant, to contest against SUPP in Dudong.

SUPP candidate unconfirmed

However, the candidate for SUPP in Dudong is still unclear while there is strong speculation that the party will picks Lanang parliamentarian Tiong Thai King, rather than the incumbent Soon Choon Teck.

According to a SUPP source, the party wants to field a "winnable candidate" to defend the seat as DAP is expected to pose a strong challenge.

Tiong, the younger brother of logging, banking and media tycoon Tiong Hiew King, is seen as financially capable of running a strong campaign.

Besides, he also won Lanang parliamentary seat for four consecutive terms, capping it off with a respectable majority of 4,864 votes in 2008 general election.

But, Soon's supporters are still fighting for the state assistant minister to be fielded for the fifth time in Dudong and they have even advertised in a local daily to express their wishes.

When approached by Malaysiakini today, Tiong also refused to comment the matter, claiming that it is a "sensitive issue" and said that the party would make a decision soon.

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