All set for Sibu

The game is on, with SUPP and DAP almost sure of their candidates for the Sibu by-election this May 16.

The Sarawak-based SUPP, a Barisan Nasional component party, was the first to make the announcement when party president George Chan Hong Nam declared 45-year-old Robert Lau Hui Yew (left) as their choice to succeed the late Robert Lau Hoi Chiew.

And barring any opposition from within the party or the state's ruling coalition, Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud is expected to make the younger Lau's selection official tomorrow.

Likewise for the DAP, it is widely speculated that they have pretty much decided on their Sarawak chief Wong Ho Leng to take up the fight in Sibu.

Party insiders acknowledged that Wong, who had contested and lost twice before against Lau senior, is their best bet and expect DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng to announce his candidacy at a dinner in Sibu tomorrow night.

Should the candidacy go as expected, the battle for Sibu will be a fight between debutante and seasoned fighter.

Lau jr enters election

Robert Lau Junior enters the race as an election newbie, though he would have the leverage of being the second cousin and preferred successor of the elder Lau, who died on April 9 after a long battle with cancer at the age of 66.

Wong meanwhile is no stranger to elections, being one of six DAP leaders who won seats in the 2006 state elections.

Although his state seat of Bukit Assek is carved out of the adjacent Lanang parliamentary constituency, his experience and exposure is expected to add weight to DAP's campaign.