Now that the PKR list of candidates have been finalised, party de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim is hoping that those dropped will ‘exercise restraint’.

Specifically, he is wary about Padungan incumbent Dominique Ng, PKR’s sole assemblyperson for the 2006 term.

“I spoke to Dominique this morning and I told him of our decision to field (See Chee How). I told him that he is an important personality and I hope he would exercise restraint.

“I heard he has taken a decision and I hope he will reconsider,” said Anwar, when fielding questions at a press conference this morning.

However, he refused to elaborate what he meant by Ng’s ‘decision’.

azlan “So currently, it is status quo in Batu Lintang ,” said Anwar after announcing the list of PKR candidates in Sibu.

It is understood that Ng, who has sizeable support in his constituency, may run as an independent candidate.

It was previously reported that, in a surprise deal, DAP had swapped its Batu Lintang seat with PKR’s Padungan.

See will then stand for PKR in Batu Lintang while DAP’s Wong King Wei will run in Padungan.

While DAP’s dropped incumbent Voon Li Shan had appeared to be taking the news rather well, being spotted at party rallies and functions, Ng has made his dismay known.

“I feel betrayed,” Ng had told Malaysiak ini previously.

He was a former DAP leader who fell out with the party back in the 1990s.

tian chua 01 240505 However, party vice-president Tian Chua (left) said that all is not lost for Ng.

“He is qualified enough to be in Parliament so maybe we’ll nominate him for a parliamentary seat in the next general election.

“We prefer Ng to be in the Kuching area, like the Stampin parliamentary constituency," he said.

“Under the Pakatan Rakyat spirit, all seats can be negotiated. But if not, there are still other seats that can be considered."

Ng: I've been played out

When contacted today, Ng appeared to still be upset over the issue.

dominique ng interview 010606 gesturing "Today is is my 50th birthday and also PKR's 12th anniversary. What a big birthday present for me," he said sarcastically.

While he refused to comment on whether he will contest as an independent candidate, he said he did not want to blame Anwar over his misfortunes. He targetted the state leadership instead.

"The state leadership is making me look like a fool," he said, adding that he was the last person to know about the seat swap.

Asked about Chua's comment on contesting a parliamentary seat in the next general election, Ng sounded less than enthusiastic.

"I've been played out twice already - first, when they swapped the seats without telling me and second, when they dropped me altogether," he said.

He refused to comment on his future in the party.

Additional reporting by Kow Gah Chie