DAP will contest in two of the three new state seats in Melaka, namely Kelebang and Bukit Baru. However, the party has decided not to stand for the Tanjung Bidara seat.

"We do not have the grassroots support at Tanjung Bidara. We do not have a branch there and that place is far from town," said Sim Tong Him, the DAP state assemblyperson for Bandar Hilir

"The party has never contested in that area as far as I can remember," he added when met yesterday.

The other two constituencies, Sim said are in the suburbs and the people there are familiar with the opposition party.

Despite being Malay-majority areas, he claimed the party has been receiving overwhelming support in these places.

"We have been the watchdog and played a check and balance role - that is what we the opposition is for," he added.

'White elephants'

DAP has regularly taken the Barisan Nasional (BN) controlled state government to task over its exorbitant projects which have turned out to be 'white elephants'.

"One example, is the Parameswara jetty which cost RM11 million to build. It can't be used because the water is too shallow as a result of island reclamation which was carried out sometime ago. Only sampan (small boats) can be used in there," said Sim.

According to the DAP leader, the jetty was then sold and later converted into a restaurant.

Sim said his party will place banners at these 'failed' projects bearing the words ' Satu lagi projek BN yang gagal ' (Another BN project that failed).

He also highlighted another 'white elephant' in the state - the Hang Tuah Mall which is suppose to rival Orchard Street in Singapore.

"There were only a few units occupied selling ordinary mamak food. Within a few months, most of them closed due to lack of business," he said, adding that the project cost the state government RM8 million.

On the DAP candidates in Melaka, Sim said the only confirmed candidate thus far was secretary-general Kerk Kim Hock ( right ), who holds DAP's sole parliamentary seat - Kota Melaka - in the state.

The party also controls four state seats - Bandar Hilir, Kota Laksamana, Bachang and Kesidang.

Asked if DAP was convident of a better showing this time around, Sim merely replied that they will provide a 'tough fight'.