SIBU: A pair of brothers-in-law will not let politics divide them despite finding themselves on opposite sides in the Sarawak state election.

       Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) candidate Michael Tiang is facing his relative by marriage, David Wong from DAP, in a five-cornered fight in Pelawan.

       Wong, the two-term Pelawan assemblyman, is married to Tiang’s sister while Tiang’s wife is Wong’s sister.

       Tiang said he had the utmost respect for Wong and would not want to sour their relationship for political gain.

       “David is my brother-in-law. I respect him just like I respect all contestants. They might have their own views but I will not launch personal attacks against them,” he said.

       Likewise, Wong does not want the public to create a rift between him and Tiang.

       “The bigger issue is the future of the constituency,” he said.

       According to Wong, both of them were once in DAP but Tiang quit to join Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP), a GPS component party, some 15 years ago.

       As Pelawan is one of the 18 seats where physical campaigning is not allowed, both Wong and Tiang have to fully utilise social media to publicise themselves.