Hoping to make a political comeback in the upcoming Sarawak state election, a wealthy businessman has urged voters to look beyond his bank balance, and focus on his heart.

Tiong Thai King, whose name might lead to confusion with the monarch in Thailand, is actually, as his surname suggests, the sibling of billionaire timber tycoon Tiong Hew King, the founder of Rimbunan Hijau Group (RH).

Rimbunan Hijau is one of the big six timber merchants once warned by Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem that he would not tolerate corruption.

His brother also owns Media Chinese International Ltd, which publishes four major Chinese dailies - Sin Chew Daily , China Press , Nanyang Siang Pau and Guang Ming Daily .

Met during a visit to a school in Sibu Jaya today, Thai King said he sensed somewhat of a negative sentiment towards candidates who are well-heeled.

"I don't know why they have such an opinion, you just need to ask them," lamented the BN direct candidate for the Dudong seat.

"What is wrong about a candidate who comes from a wealthy family?" he asked.

Thai King, who is the group executive director and chairperson of the Sibu Municipal Council, wanted the people to focus on his sincerity to contribute to society.

“We have made money and we have a chance to contribute and we are contributing to education and schools. And, this is meaningful.

"Don't distinguish between the rich (and poor), we should contribute to education,” he added.

Besides education, Thai King also pledged to continue helping the poor and sick while contributing towards cultural and religious endeavours.

The businessman had been a four-term Lanang parliamentarian since 1995, but was defeated in the last general election by DAP’s Alice Lau.

Prior to that, he lost in the Dudong seat to Yap Hoi Liong from DAP in the 2011 state election.

Adenan has appointed several Chinese tycoons and family members to contest in the May 7 state polls, sparking off concerns about the mix of money and politics.

Four of them were announced as BN direct candidates in Sibu and Sarikei, both located in central Sarawak, while another would be fielded in Bintulu.

Janet Lau, the widow of former deputy transport minister Robert Lau, would contest in Pelawan.

Her late husband's nephew Henry Lau is the second generation boss of KTS Group, another timber giant which was warned by the chief minister.

Hotel tycoon Hii King Chiong, who runs the Kingwood Hotel Group, is also in the race and is slated to contest the Pujut seat in Miri.

Also contesting are businessmen Pau Chiong Urn for Tanjung Batu and Huang Tiong Hii for Repok.