KUCHING: The subdued campaigning in urban state seats did not stop political parties across the divide from engaging in an all-out poster and flag war in the capital city and its surrounding suburbs.

       Flags and banners from various parties had been erected at several strategic spots around Kuching such as in Jalan Padungan and India Street near the city centre.

       Various parties were also seen erecting their banners along Jalan Batu Kawah as campaigning for the state polls got under way after nominations were filed on Monday.

       Near a junction in Jalan Padungan, there were the banners of Sarawak People’s Aspiration Party (Aspirasi) candidate Raymond Thong Ee Yu and Parti Bumi Kenyalang.

       A drive further up towards the roundabout near Jalan Padungan, the flags of locally-based opposition Parti Sarawak Bersatu were seen fluttering atop a PKR flag.

       A mountain of mini DAP flags displaying the party’s rocket symbol was seen in the centre of Kuching as a grasscutter went about his task.

       The flags of Gabungan Parti Sarawak candidate Datuk Wee Hong Seng, who is Kuching South mayor, were hung along India Street near Padungan.

       There were also “banner wars” at the centre of Padungan between DAP and Sarawak 4 Sarawakians (S4S), whose candidates are contesting under Aspirasi’s ticket in the 12th state election.

       Not to be outdone was former two-term Baru Lintang assemblyman See Chee How, whose banner was strung up along the junction near Wisma Saberkas.

       There are 1,252,014 registered voters in Sarawak and early voting will be on Dec 14 while polling is on Dec 18.