DAP's candidate for Tasik Biru sees his party as the beneficiary of the spat between state BN component Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) and its splinter party, Sarawak People's Energy Party (Teras), which have squabbled over the direct candidacy process.

"I believe we have a strong chance of winning here. I believe I have put a lot of effort here. I think the infighting between the candidates in BN, from Teras and SPDP, will benefit us," DAP’s Tasik Biru candidate Mordi Bimol said.

However, Mordi, 31, who is a party special assistant, fears that DAP's prospects would be dimmer should its state coalition partner, PKR, field a candidate in the seat as well.

"The votes will split. We do have our own DAP supporters. And there are the PKR supporters as well. And we have Pakatan Harapan supporters. So I hope I can go in for a straight fight with BN," he said.

Mordi, a Bidayuh, is expected to contest against Harry H Jinep, who was announced as the direct candidate from Teras by state BN chief Adenan Satem yesterday.

Harry was chosen over Tasik Biru's incumbent, SPDP deputy president Peter Nansian, who has served two terms.

Tasik Biru is a constituency in the town of Bau, located some 35km from Kuching. Scattered around are a few defaced DAP posters. A cloth, with graffiti sprayed on it indicating support for PKR over DAP, was hung over a street railing.

"For me, the banners are just a minor thing, and I don't worry about them. I believe I have a good relationship with the villagers.

"They are not just voters to me. They are like family members," Mordi told reporters after DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng launched the party's operation centre in Bau. Also present was DAP state leader Chong Chieng Jen.

"My groundwork is totally different from other candidates. I walked everyday, from house to house, for five years and I have organised a lot of community projects in the villages. I have my own strengths and I believe I will win this round," Mordi said.

He contested in a well-fought four-cornered fight for the Mas Gading parliamentary seat in the 2013 general election.

In that election, SPDP secretary-general Anthony Nogeh Gumbek won by 2,156 votes after garnering 8,265 votes against former BN MP Tiki Lafe’s 6,109 votes.

Mordi came in third with 5,293 votes while another former BN lawmaker, Patrick Anek Uren of the State Reform Party (Star), received 462 votes and lost his deposit.