updated version Sarawak's former Barisan Alternatif parties are gearing up for a multi-cornered fight in four constituencies in the state's eighth legislative election after nominations closed today at 11am.

Keadilan and DAP are fielding candidates in Pending, Tanjong Datu and Repok, while PAS and Keadilan are locked in a contest for Malay-majority Samariang.

In Pending, Keadilan's Dr Dominique Ng Kim Ho will face DAP's Voon Lee Shan and, from the ruling front Barisan Nasional, Sarawak United People's Party's Sim Kheng Hui.

In Tanjong Datu, Keadilan's Awang Ismadi Awang Ahmad is up against DAP's Teo Chung Chai and SUPP's Ranum Mina.

In Repok, Keadilan's Dr Wong Hua She will meet DAP's Wong Sing Ai and SUPP's Teng Lung Chi.

And in Samariang, Sarawak Keadilan's secretary Wan Zainal Abidin Wan Sanusi will contest against PAS' Sokri Ahmad and BN component Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu Sarawak's Sharifah Mordiah Fauzi.

'Common enemy'

While multi-cornered fights could considerably weaken the chances of the opposition parties in the state polls, Keadilan's Sarawak election chief Azmin Ali told malaysiakini that such competition is not a sign of disunity among the parties.

"We must understand that the political scenario here is not the same as the one in peninsular Malaysia, but one thing remains and that is the realisation that our common enemy here is the Barisan Nasional coalition," he said.

Azmin and Sarawak DAP chairperson Richard Wong Ho Leng have been discussing the seat allocation between the parties for months but the talks have yielded little results, even though national leaders had discussed the matter too.

"I am disappointed that DAP did not show appreciation for Keadilan for letting go of Padungan. We thought they would reciprocate by allowing us to contest in Pending," Azmin said, referring to the concession Keadilan made to DAP yesterday.

Keadilan is similarly disappointed that talks with PAS with regard to Samariang proved unfruitful.

However, Azmin added, "I announced yesterday to Keadilan members not to attack candidates from the other opposition parties. We still have to work closely together."

DAP's Wong could not be reached for comment.

The Sarawak state legislative assembly is the highest law-making body in the state, comprising 62 seats.

A total of 868,487 eligible voters will cast their ballot next Thursday.