DAP Sarawak will continue pressing for three more state seats - in Kuching, Sibu and Bintulu - in addition to the 71 state seats in the second revised constituency plan for Sarawak, according to its chairperson Wong Ho Leng.

The party would also press for two additional parliamentary seats for Sarawak to add to the present 31 seats.

Commenting on the second revised constituency plan announced by the Election Commission recently to include an additional state seat - Kota Sentosa - he said it was better than the first revision since it now encompasses a new state seat.

Wong criticised Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) state assemblyperson for Batu Lintang, Chan Seng Khai, for appealing against this 'seemingly' on the ground that it is carved out from his constituency.

Describing Chan, who is also Kuching City South mayor, as 'arrogant' and 'politically ignorant', the DAP leader said it was not easy to get this extra seat, let alone a Chinese-dominated one.

"What has SUPP got to fear about this seat? (Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud's ) Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) is controlling the fauna and flora of Sarawak as it can virtually rule Sarawak, with or without the others in the state Barisan Nasional (BN)," he said.

Labelling SUPP as 'a puppet in BN', Wong added: " But we are talking about vote weightage , which is more important, in terms of democratic ideals."

"On average, a vote in native areas is worth four times that of a vote in a predominantly Chinese area. So, one extra seat, although nothing of value to cheer about in terms of numbers, is good to dilute the weightage advantage," he said.

'State polls in June 2006'

Wong said he did not anticipate the state elections to be called earlier than June 2006.

"Looking at the political landscape, there is nothing to rush Taib. He is secure. No one threatens him. No one has the guts anyway. Even (PBB senior vice president and Natural Resources and Environment Minister ) Adenan (Satem) has to move cautiously. I really believe that Taib will call the election probably in June 2006.

"If not June , it will be September 2006, after a grand show of Independence Day celebrations. Like before. I also feel that Taib will lead BN into the 2006 election," he added.

On the same note, the DAP leader believes that Taib is already "grooming" his possible successor.

"I have used the word grooming. There is nothing really to groom. Adenan for sure. Adenan of course is more than keen. Recently when Taib announced that he will step down one day and that he is grooming a successor, we only see Adenan coming to the surface as if he is worried that people may not know that he is taking over," he said.

"One thing is for sure, (PBB deputy president and state Housing Minister) Abang Johari Tun Openg is almost out. (PBB vice-president and former agriculture minister) Effendi Norwawi is literally out," he added.

According to Wong, PBB information chief and former assistant minister Wahab Dolah was once a favourite but is now out of the race

"He was a good man. Unfortunately he is not in the game anymore. Maybe he was played out," he said.

As for PBB treasurer and state Second Minister of Planning and Resource Management and of Public Utilities Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, the opposition politician said: "He is not in yet, so we can't count him out."

Wong said he felt Adenan, 64, would not serve long.

"Despite what appears in the papers, I think he is not very popular within the party. But Taib has no choice but to pick Adenan. After him, Awang Tenggah may have hope for the post," he added.

Meanwhile, Wong also disclosed that at yesterday's meeting of the state committee, DAP had decided to contest in 14 state seats including Kota Sentosa.

TONY THIEN is malaysiakini 's Sarawak-based stringer.