The defection of Supp Youth chief Yek Sie Beng in Bintagor, Sarawak to DAP and the prospect of his supporters following suit has caused a clear split among Supp branch members in the area.

The cracks first appeared during the1996 state elections when Supp incumbent Thomas Hii, an accountant, lost to an independent candidate, Wong Chi Luk.

Wong was said to be supported by a group who opposed Hii's re-nomination and a 'powerful' timber tycoon.

This time around, the Chinese-based party is not taking any chances and has nominated timber tycoon Teng Check Sii for the Meradong seat instead of Hii.

Teng is not only close to the top leadership of Supp but is also a close business associate of several family members of caretaker Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud.

'Very good fight'

Sarawak DAP chief Richard Wong told malaysiakini today that he formally admitted Yek - a certified accountant who used to work in Hii's firm - on Sept 4 , two days after the party had finalised its list of candidates.

This implies that Yek may not necessarily be DAP's choice for the Meradong seat but Wong had said that he would not discount the possibility of some last-minute changes.

According to Wong, the DAP line-up will only be made public on the nomination day - Sept 18.

He believes with the internal problems brewing within Supp's local branches, the DAP candidate is going to give Barisan Nasional a "very good fight".

DAP has for 20 years tried in vain to win the seat which is a Supp traditional stronghold.

The Sarawak state assembly was dissolved on Aug 27 for the 62-seat state elections which will be held on Sept 27.