KUCHING: Selangau MP Baru Bian will be defending the Ba'kelalan state seat in a five-cornered fight, with two former party colleagues among his challengers.

       For the Dec 18 election, Baru is contesting under the Parti Sarawak Bersatu ticket after quitting PKR last year.

       He will face Martin Samuel Labo of PKR and Independent candidate Agnes Padan.

       Agnes, formerly the Sarawak PKR Wanita chief, quit the party to contest in the election.

       The Gabungan Parti Sarawak candidate for Ba’kelalan is Sam Laya, while Parti Bumi Kenyalang is fielding Peter Asut in the seat.