DAP will contest five parliamentary seats in Sarawak in the elections to be held later this month, its state chairperson Wong Ho Leng announced today.

He named the candidates as Chong Chieng Jen (Bandar Kuching), Voon Lee Shan (Stampin), Chiew Chiu Sing (Bimtulu) and David Wong (Bandar Sibu) and himself for the Lanang seat.

Wong described the DAP's chances in at least two of the five constituencies as "better than the rest". He mentioned specifically Bandar Kuching, where Keadilan may stay clear following a new arrangement between the two parties, and Bintulu where its candidate Chiew Chiu Sing is a popular local figure.

Wong said Sarawak DAP used to contest in seven parliamentary constituencies.

"It has now been decided to relinquish Miri and Sarikei to Keadilan. This is in order to avoid a multi-cornered fight in hopeful constituencies such as Bandar Kuching where Keadilan had also expressed interest."

The decision to cede Miri and Sarikei to Keadilan was made in the name of good faith and in the spirit of mutual co-existence.

"However, there is no electoral pact between the parties otherwise," Wong said.

Break political hegemony

Wong called on Sarawak voters to break what he called the political hegemony of the BN in the state "by giving unstinting support to the DAP candidates."

"The people ought to have realised the pain of an opposition vacuum with no representation in Parliament since 1999, although Sarawak has the largest number of parliamentary constituencies - 28.'

He added:' The political monopoly of the BN does not augur well for the practice of parliamentary democracy. The voice of dissent of many Sarawakians has been shut from the august chambers of Parliament for far too long.'

The Sarawak DAP leader called on the Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi to prove in words and deeds his commitment in getting rid of corruption and abuse of power in the country by ensuring that "this election will be free from corruption, malpractices and abuse of power."

He said the curse of money politics was a hindrance to a democratic election, and urged the new premier to ensure that all candidates abide by all the laws and regulations governing elections, including the statutory maximum in election expenditures.

Wong added that the Election Commission should also ensure that all election laws are complied with by candidates from both the BN and opposition parties.