There will not be a repeat of a three-way contest for the Sibu parliamentary seat this time around, Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian said today.

Bian, when met by Malaysiakini, said either DAP or PKR would contest the Sibu seat as both parties have valid interests in the area.

"We agree in principle that whoever the candidate, either be from DAP or PKR, he will get full support from the other Pakatan Rakyat partner. This has been agreed upon and relayed to PKR president Dr Wan Azizah (Wan Ismail).

azlan "Sarawak PKR will be meeting with the state DAP chairperson Wong Ho Leng later this week to discuss further cooperation and the possible candidate," he said.

Bian said a decision would be made soon on which party would contest subject to agreement from Pakatan's top leadership.

"If DAP contests, we will not and likewise if PKR contests then a situation like in the previous 2008 general election will not happen," he said.

During the 2008 general elections, DAP and PKR each put up their candidate to contest in Sibu, resulting in a three-way fight which was won by BN through Supp's Robert Lau.

Lau, who was also the deputy transport minister, polled 19,138 votes compared to the 15,903 obtained by Wong and 812 by PKR's Lim Chin Chuang.

The Chinese community accounts for 60 percent of the Sibu electorate while the Melanau make-up 20 percent, the Iban 18 percent and the remainder comprising the Orang Ulu and others.

Lau passed away on Friday due to cancer resulting in the country’s 11th by-election since the March 2008 general elections.

Election Commission Chairperson Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof has said the commission would meet this Friday to decide on the by-election’s nomination and polling dates.

DAP having upper hand

Bian said Pakatan had a better chance now to wrest the Sibu seat compared to the 2008 general elections.

"I think there is an equal opportunity for us (to win). The sentiments of the people of Sarawak against the present government are quite strong.

"This is the clear indication that we see. We will probably get better results than in 2008. There is an opportunity for Pakatan Rakyat to win," he said.

The Sibu contest would been seen as a test of sorts for DAP and PKR in Sarawak. How well the two parties can cooperate will provide an indication on how Pakatan will fair in the approaching state elections.

DAP seems to be having the upper hand in having its candidate selected for the Sibu battle following its better showing and support based on the 2008 general elections. However, it has already indicated it first would discuss the matter with PKR to decide on the best candidate.

If DAP contests, this would be its first outing in the 11 by-elections so far as all the previous ones were contested by either PAS or PKR.