Sarawak Chinese-based party Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) has increased its allotted seats to 11, after state BN chief Adenan Satem announced that a timber merchant will compete for the Repok state seat.

The constituency is located some 70km from Sibu.

Huang Tiong Sii, who has businesses in Bintulu and Papua New Guinea, will challenge incumbent Dr Wong Hua Seh, the state DAP's assistant treasurer. In 2011, Wong defeated incumbent David Teng Lung Chi, who was SUPP treasurer, taking 59 percent of the votes.

Although SUPP beat its rival breakaway component, the United People's Party (UPP), to contest the seat, Huang's candidacy bypasses SUPP's youth secretary-general, Teng Ung Wu, whose name was submitted as the party's preferred choice in February.

Huang owns 7,998,290 shares, or nearly one percent, of timber producer Jaya Tiasa Holdings Bhd, according to the company's 2015 annual report.

Jaya Tiasa has access to 1.76 million acres of timber concessions in the state, with an annual turnover of RM750 million, according to the company's website. The company also has a land bank exceeding 83 thousand hectares, the website said.

Huang was reported to have made visits to the state constituency early this year, and had declined to comment whether he was with any political party, according to a news report published by See Hua Daily News on Feb 26.

Running in 19 seats in 2011

SUPP, the state's oldest party, had contested 19 seats in 2011, losing 13 of them. The party's former president, George Chan Hong Nam, who was deputy chief minister, was defeated by DAP first-timer Alan Ling Sie Kiong in that election. Chan resigned a year later.

In February, party president Dr Sim Kui Hian had said the party intended to contest in 21 seats . A delegates meeting last October involving representatives from SUPP, UPP, and Adenan failed to reach a compromise.

After another party meeting with national BN chief and Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak in February, Adenan endorsed the direct candidacy of leaders from UPP and the Dayak-based Sarawak People's Energy Party (Teras), another breakaway party, branding them members of 'Team Adenan'.

Adenan, who is chief minister, has yet to name the full list.

Sim has declined to elaborate on the final tally.

"Please listen to what (chief minister) Adenan has said. There will be more to come," he said when contacted today.

UPP president Dr Wong Soon Koh could not be reached for comments.

Including the newly created Batu Kitang seat, there is a total of 16 Chinese-majority seats in Sarawak, with DAP controlling 12 of them.