What's happening today in Sibu? Quotable quotes, planned events and unplanned incidents as they occur in P212. 

8.30am Rural and Regional Development Minister Mohd Shafie attends a meet-the-people session at Rumah Panjang Baseh, Bawang Assan, Sibu.

8.30am Deputy Education Minister Mohd Puad Zarkashi visits three schools in Sibu - SK Kampung Bahagia Jaya, SK Tanjung Penasu dan SK Rantau Panjang.

9.40am SUPP Sibu chief Wong Soon Koh ( left ) challenges DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang to "persuade" PAS to amend its constitution and do away with its goal of an Islamic state.

Wong said he would only agree to a debate with Lim if he can do that.

"If he can't do it, there's no point debating," Wong said, referring to Lim's challenge to debate one of SUPP's campaign slogans which claimed that a vote for DAP is a vote for PAS and an Islamic state.

10.40pm Sarawak CID chief Huzir Mohamed has advised all political parties to stop using the "Allah" issue throughout the campaign period.

He said that it is a sensitive issue and warned that if campaigners persist, they could be detained for sedition or under the Internal Security Act.

11am Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud attends a  meet-the-people session in Sungai Rassau, Sibu.

He will later attend another session in Tanjung Penasu, Sibu.

11am DAP daily press conference at the party candidate Wong Ho Leng's legal firm.

11.15am Ousted Perak MB Mohamad Nizar Jamaluddin ( right ) attended a DAP press conference to clear the Islamic state issue after the party was under persistent attack from its rival SUPP.

Nizar said that SUPP's allegation that PAS wants to establish such state is a "fitnah besar" (big lie).

"We have reached a consensus and the (Islamic state) issue is settled," he said.

"We want a government that is based on justice, eradicates all forms of corruption and discrimination against any race and religion. This is the main cause of PAS and we share it with DAP."

He also dismissed the allegation that the Islamic party will implement the hudud law, including cutting the hands of thieves.

"(PAS spiritual leader) Nik Aziz (Nik Mat) has helmed Kelantan for 20 years, have you seen any non-Muslims' hands amputated?"

He said the issue was outdated, and it is no longer an issue in Peninsular.

11.45am DAP criticised the ban over 'Allah' issue - announced an hour ago - and wanted the Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to give an explanation.

"We want Najib to come tomorrow and explain whether this is his directive," said the party supremo Lim Kit Siang.

He also said, if police want to take action, they should have arrested the home minister who prohibits the usage of the word.

12 noon: Contestants for Miss Tourism Intercontinental 2010 create a welcome distraction to the by-election as they arrive at the RH Hotel.

The 32 beauties, who arrived from Bintulu after a two-day stay, will be touring Sibu before leaving for Miri on Thursday where the grand final of the contest is to be held next week.

Election workers and the public looked more than happy when the ladies arrived at the hotel where they will be putting up for the next two days. They will probably take every chance to take photos of and with the contestants.

The excitement exceeded even the fanfare of nomination day, as the town buzzed with anticipation of their scheduled visits around Swan city.

SUPP Sibu chief Wong Soon Koh officially welcomed the beauties at a press conference later in the afternoon, a reprieve for many of the journalists and photographers weary from treading the by-election trail.

1.15pm: DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang sends a tweet thanking those who expressed concern over a bad fall he sustained last night. Lim said that he had “missed a step and had a heavy fall” yesterday.

"Luckily, did not break any bone. Did not attend any #P212 (Sibu) ceramah last nite. Now ready 4new day," he says.

3pm Another DAP member Steven Lu was called by Sibu police for questioning over an illegal gathering that allegedly took place at Muhibbah Corner on the night of May 7 which the party claimed it had had police approval for a meet-the-people session.

On Monday, DAP election committee secretary Lee Sang Onn was called by police to record his statement after a police officer lodged a report over the matter.

According to DAP state secretary Chong Chieng Jen, the police carried out the investigation although they had shown the permit issued by Sibu OCPD dated May 3 to the investigating officer.

He criticised the police for allegedly harassing the party's campaign workers. "Why he is such a busybody. (It) looks like they have nothing to do in Sibu," Chong said.

3-7pm DAP's Wong Ho Leng will have a walkabout at Sg Pasai Longhouses, Rassau.

7pm BN's Nangka assemblyperson Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah will attend a meet-the-people session at Li Hua Hotel in Sibu.

7pm DAP's Wong Ho Leng to attend a ceramah at Yi Hui Café.

9pm DAP's Wong Ho Leng will attend a ceramah at Kong Sung Café.