Padungan incumbent Dominique Ng ended speculation on his political future today by filing his nomination form to defend this Sarawak state seat as an Independent.

This will trigger a three-cornered fight in the state election on April 16, alongside SUPP candidate Sim Kiang Chiok and DAP candidate Wong King Wei.

NONENg (right), who quit PKR yesterday, arrived at the nomination centre in Kuching this morning with a small band of supporters and looking confident.

It is learnt that Ng will use the hibiscus, the national flower, as his logo.

Despite his popularity with local voters, he could face an uphill battle without the support of a party machinery.

He said yesterday that if he obtained the least votes, he would quit politics after 28 years as an active politician.

This is not the first time Ng is going solo. The former PKR state chief had previously quit the party to contest as an Independent against current DAP state secretary Chong Chieng Jen and BN in the Bandar Kuching parliamentary contest in 1999.

Although BN won, Ng obtained 3,950 votes more than Chong.

Ng’s departure from PKR this time around was caused by the party’s decision to swap the Padungan seat for DAP’s Batu Lintang.

After completing the nomination process, a combative Ng stressed that he will continue to fight even he has to stand alone.

“I will continue to fight because I know whenever I fight, the people are with me,” he said.

The former DAP man also said he will only campaign against BN but not DAP or Pakatan Rakyat.

He added that he has no personal agenda except to continue to serve the rakyat.

Asked if he would consider rejoin PKR after the race, he said: “Politics is very unusual, because one week ago I was a YB under the PKR banner and now I am defending my seat as an Independent.”

Commenting on his hibiscus logo, Ng said he hopes the national flower will have an impact in Sarawak just as the jasmine brought to the people's revolutions in the Middle East.

“I hope the hibiscus can become a flower of change in Malaysia and bring change to Sarawak.”

Resignation accepted

Speaking to reporters later PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail said the party has accepted Ng's text-message and decision to run against a Pakatan partner in Padungan as "an official resignation".

"You cannot force people who don't want to be with you. It's his right to stand in Padungan," she said.

While she had this morning wished him well as a friend, she will pray and campaign for Pakatan's victory in Padungan.

"(BN) can use this as an issue, but it's up to the people. We are asking people, if you are not satisfied with PBB rule then you have the right to change," she said.