The Sibu parliamentary by-election may see another independent candidate joining in the fray.

Returning officer Wong See Meng said, as of 4pm today, seven sets of nomination papers had been taken.

He said DAP candidate Wong Ho Leng took three sets while representatives of the Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) which represented the Barisan Nasional (BN), took two.

On Monday, retired soldier-turned-businessman Narawai Harun, 60, took a set while 40-year-old Hamka Kassim took the remaining set today.

Narawi, when contacted by reporters, said he would stand as independent.

He said, he had wanted to offer himself as a candidate for the coming state election in the Nangka seat.

However, following he demise of five-term Sibu member of parliament Robert Lau Hoi Chew on April 9, he decided to have another go at the seat which he had contested against the late Lau in the 1995 general election.

Wong said, Hamka wanted to contest as independent. However, the man could not be contacted as he did not leave any contact number.

If the two hand over their nomination forms tomorrow at the civic centre, it would be a four-cornered contest for the seat.

- Bernama