GE13: Many battlefronts of Sarawak The Star

KUCHING: Sarawak is expected to see far more multi-cornered fights in GE13 compared to previous polls.

It is likely that none of the 31 parliamentary seats will be won uncontested and there will be fewer straight fights.

Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) alone is guaranteed at least a three-cornered fight in all of its six seats Sri Aman, Lubok Antu, Julau, Kanowit, Selangau and Hulu Rajang.

Besides Pakatan Rakyat candidates, the Sarawak Workers Party's (SWP) will contest too.

In Lubok Antu, incumbent William Nyalau Badak will face PKR's Nicholas Bawin Anggat and SWP president Larry Sng, while in Selangau, Larry's father Sng Chee Hua will contest under the SWP emblem against incumbent Datuk Joseph Entulu Belaun, who is PRS deputy president, and PKR's Joshua Jabang.

In Hulu Rajang, Barisan's new face Wilson Ugak Kumbong will face SWP deputy president George Lagong, who is Pelagus assemblyman, and PKR's Abun Sui Anyit.

Some Pakatan leaders view SWP's candidates as spoilers because they claim to be a Barisan-friendly party, although Barisan leaders have rejected them.

Another multi-cornered fight is Mas Gading where Barisan incumbent Datuk Dr Tiki Lafe is considering contesting as an independent after he was dropped.

If that happens, Mas Gading could be in for a multi-cornered fight between Barisan's new face Anthony Nogeh Gumbek, DAP's Mordi Bimol, State Reform Party's (Star) Patrick Anek Uren and Dr Tiki.

Apart from PRS, the Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) expects to see multi-cornered fights in Stampin and Miri due to the inability of PKR and DAP to come to an agreement on both seats.

Five-term Stampin incumbent Datuk Yong Khoon Seng could face DAP's Dr Tang Sie Hing and PKR's Voon Shiak Ni, while Barisan's new face in Miri, Datuk Sebastian Ting, could face DAP's Ling Su Kien and PKR's Michael Teo.

In Santubong, incumbent Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, who was Parliament Deputy Speaker, is preparing for a possible four-cornered fight against PKR's Zulrusdi Hol, Sarawak Umno Promoters Protem Committee chief Affendi Jeman and, possibly, former state Education Minister Datuk Bujang Ullis as an independent.