DAP is aiming for the stars this coming Sarawak polls, targeting wins in all 15 of the seats they announced the party will be contesting.

"In 2006, I signed the letter of authorisation on behalf of the party. We competed 12 seats and we won six seats," said DAP state chief Wong Ho Leng in a press conference in Sibu today.

"This time, we made the change and asked party secretary-general (Lim Guan Eng) to sign. We are hoping to win 15 seats," he added.

Lim also described the Sarawak polls as the "battle of the century" that will decide the fate of Malaysia.

Hence, he urged, the people should vote against Sarawak chief minister Taib Mahmud, at least by denying the BN its two-thirds' majority.

"Change begins now in Sarawak. If change (in Sarawak) is possible, then it is possible in Putrajaya," said Lim.

Following the announcement of five of its candidates yesterday, DAP announced the names of another 10 who will be fielded in Sarawak's middle and nothern regions.

 The 10 include two women and five other candidates.

NONE The two female candidates are Ting Tze Fui (right), who will defend her Maradong seat, and Alice Lau Kiong Yieng, who will contest against SUPP heavyweight Wong Soon Koh for the seat of Bawang Assan.

Lau, an election rookie, will contest together with four other fresh candidates: Yap Hoi Liong (Dudong), Leong Kwong Yaw (Bukit Kota), Ling Sie Kiong (Piasau) and Wong Hua Seh (Repok).

Meanwhile, Wong Ho Leng and DAP state deputy chief Chew Chiu Sing will also defend their seats of Bukit Assek and Kidurong, respectively, while David Wong Kee Woan and Fong Pau Teck are slated to contest Pelawan and Pujut.

They were awarded letters of authorisation by Lim after the announcement.

New blood

Wong also said that the average age of the candidates is 39, one year younger than the last state election, proving that they are committed in giving chances to new candidates.

"Considering three of us are over 50 and seven candidates of the 2006 state election were retained, it shows the party emphasises and is successful in grooming new blood."

Including Kuching, the party has picked eight new candidates in total for this election.

Besides that, the party has also four women candidates in total, which is the most ever by DAP Sarawak's history, and their average age is 29.75.

"It shows that DAP acknowledges the ability and rights of women," said Wong.

The nomination of Sarawak election will fall on Apr 6, while the voters will make their decision through ballot box on Apr 16.