BN Batu Kawah candidate Dr Sim Kui Hian and BN direct candidate in Bawang Assan, Wong Soon Koh, are both eyeing the deputy chief minister post which is traditionally reserved for Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP), revealed a BN source.

It is an open secret of Wong wanting the post, left vacant following the defeat of then SUPP president and deputy chief minister George Chan in 2011 state election.

While the present SUPP chief Sim, whose late father Sim Kheng Hong was the deputy chief minister for 16 years, is now said to be also aiming for the post.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Sim and Wong are the prime targets of sabotage in this campaign, widely detected in at least one-third of the 82 state seats.

"If Sim wins in the state polls, then Wong and United People's Party (UPP) will be gone. Similarly, if Wong wins, SUPP will not be able to survive the blow," the source told Malaysiakini.

The source had earlier revealed that the two BN allies and their splinter parties have been instructed to have their members to contest as independent candidates.

A deputy chief minister quota was allocated to SUPP, which usually nominated its chief for the post.

Wong (photo) had wanted the post since 2011 but the chief minister only made him a senior minister, a state cabinet post created after the last polls, after Wong left SUPP, said the source.

"From what I know, none of the parties want to accept him as member this time around even if he retains his seat in Bawang Assan. If this is the case, then the chief minister may not appoint him."

Meanwhile, Wong admitted there has been sabotage everywhere in Bawang Assan and Dudong, which is contested by BN's direct candidate Tiong Thai King, while less in Pelawan, contested by Janet Lau.

"You only need to go the ground. They are pulling our legs, so many (instances) of it. They are telling the people not to vote for us," said Wong when met at Sibu.

He admitted that it was done by someone from the BN parties.

"We will face all the challenges," said the senior politician, unfazed.

"SUPP president can command his members, he is the one who should ask them to stop."

Meanwhile, SPDP chief Tiong King Sing denied that his party was involved in the act of sabotage.

"I never heard of it. I don't know about it," said the Bintulu MP via phone.

"If you do not reveal your source, then I am not going to talk.

"Where are you from? From Peninsular? You should not instigate just like (leaders) from the Peninsular," he said.

Malaysiakini has been trying to contact the SUPP chief for comment.