Three candidates will contest in the Tanjong Datu by-election on Feb 18.

BN has fielded the late Sarawak chief minister Adenan Satem's widow, Jamilah Anu, as its candidate, who is running under the PBB flag.

The seat fell vacant after the death of Adenan on Jan 11 from heart complications.

Adenan, a highly popular leader, led BN to an overwhelming victory in the May 7 state election last year.

He won his Tanjong Datu seat, garnering 6,360 votes against PKR candidate Jazolkipli Numan, who garnered only 468 votes.

Adenan was the Tanjong Datu assemblyperson since 2006.

Meanwhile, the State Reform Party of Sarawak (Star) has nominated its chairperson Johnny Bob Aput as its candidate.

Parti Bangsa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS) Baru nominated local activist Rapelson Richard Hamit as its candidate.

It was previously reported that PBDS Baru had set up a drive to raise funds for the election deposit required for a candidate.

Independent Asbol Abdullah had also earlier submitted his application as a candidate but was rejected by the Election Commission (EC).

He said it was because he did not bring his bankruptcy declaration form.

Early voting for the by-election will be on Feb 12 while voting day will be on Feb 18.

Other opposition parties such as PKR and PAS had earlier said they did not intend to contest in the by-election.

Meanwhile, the Sarawak chief minister's chief political secretary Abdullah Saidol said they were not disappointed about the tussle for the Tanjong Datu seat.

"In fact, we welcome the nomination of the two other candidates from Star and PBDS Baru in the spirit of a mature democracy," he said in a statement.

They have prepared for any possibilities, he added.

The BN election operations machinery will be led by Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, who Abdullah said had held briefings and simulations with PBB officers at Tanjong Datu.

Their fellow Sarawak BN component parties had also given their commitment to campaign with them, he said.