SIBU: The rivalry for Dudong has gone several notches up with eight candidates eyeing the seat from the “mere” five in the 2016 election.

       Seven of the contenders are rookies who are seeking to battle it out with seasoned politician Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing of GPS.

       The seven, of whom three are women, are Paul Ling (DAP), Engga Unchat (PBM), Fadhil Mohd Isa (Independent), Julius Enchana (PBDS Baru), Josephine Lau (Aspirasi), Wong Hie Ping (PSB) and Jane Lau (PBK).

       The constituency was created in 1968.

       Back in 1970, Dudong was a bumiputra-majority area but SUPP had enjoyed strong support from the Iban and Chinese communities to capture the seat.

       In 1990, Dudong became a mostly Chinese constituency following a demarcation exercise by the Election Commission.

       For now, the guessing game has begun on where the votes would go to, with so many candidates to choose from.

       SUPP president Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian claimed that Tiong, the four-term Bintulu MP, was slotted as the Dudong candidate in the final 24 hours before GPS announced its candidates on Dec 3.

       Touted by GPS as a winnable candidate, Tiong is waiting for the right moment to spell out his plans for the constituency.

       His rivals are more vocal.

       Fadhil said the constituency, where one half of it is a rural area and the other half near to Sibu town, required more development.

       “Despite the state having rich natural resources, the people in Dudong are still poor.

       “Most areas here do not have Internet connectivity and there are also places without supply of treated water and electricity.

       “I hope to change all these if I win,” he said.

       Jane wants to improve the poor infrastructure.

       “In some parts of Dudong, the roads are in bad shape.

       “People in Pulau Dudong have also been complaining of having no Internet access while residents in Sibu Jaya are grimacing over low water pressure.

       “I think I can improve on these,” she said.

       Wong pledged to be fair to voters of all races and religions.

       The Dudong constituency has 34,955 voters.

       In the last election, Barisan Nasional-friendly candidate Datuk Tiong Thai King captured the seat.