The coalition took five “hot seats” of Batu Kawah, Dudong, Repok, Meradong and Piasau, while PKR retained the hot seat of Ba’kelalan and DAP won the fierce battle for Pujut.
In Batu Kawah, SUPP president Dr Sim Kui Hian, leading the BN fight for Chinese-dominated constituencies, unseated the DAP’s Christina Chiew in the most keenly-watched contest in the election.
He polled 6,414 votes against 4,329 for Chiew. The former local UPP chairman, Liu Thian Leong, who had been seen as a heavyweight independent, got just 1,109 votes.
Another SUPP candidate, Lo Khere Chiang, won in a five-cornered fight in the new constituency of Batu Kitang, polling 6,466 votes against 4,626 for his nearest rival, Abdul Aziz Isa Marindo of DAP. The other candidates were Voon Shiak Ni of PKR and independents Sulaiman Kadir and Othman Bojeng.
In Repok, BN-SUPP candidate Hiong Tiong Sii won a narrow victory by 943 votes over Yong Siew Wei of DAP, with 7,446 votes against Yong’s 6,503.
Former DAP member Wong Chin King, standing as an independent, had 381 votes. The seat was won by DAP’s Dr Wong Hua Seh in 2011 in a three-way fight.
In Meradong, Ding Kuong Hiing of SUPP, a former Sarikei MP, unseated two-term assemblyman Ting Tze Fui of DAP by 6,865 votes to 5,349.
Piasau saw a battle of party secretaries-general with BN’s Sebastian Ting of SUPP overcoming DAP’s Alan Ling Sie Kiong by 7,799 votes to 5,687. Ling had been dubbed a “giant-killer” in 2011 when he was elected with a 1,590 majority over then SUPP president George Chan.
In Dudong, BN direct candidate Tiong Thai King won in a five-way fight, unseating the DAP’s Yap Hoi Liong by 9,700 votes to 7,544. The other candidates were Ting Yik Hong of Star and independents Casper Kayong Umping and Lee Chung Fatt.
In 2011, Yap had narrowly won against Tiong in a three-man contest by 317 votes.
In Bawang Assan, Wong Soon Koh retained the BN’s only Chinese-majority seat from 2011. Wong, a direct BN candidate, going for a fifth term, defeated Chiew Sung Ngie of DAP by 4,131 votes. The other candidates were Wong Sing Wei of Star and independents Watson Bangau and Yeu Bang Keng.
At the previous election in 2011, Wong had overcome DAP’s Alice Lau with a 1,808 majority.
In the mixed constituency of Senadin, BN’s Lee Kim Shin of SUPP warded off native candidates Lun Bawang Baru Langub of DAP and Iban Philemon John Edan of PBDS-B to win by 3,538 votes. He polled 10,683 votes, Baru Langub 7,145 and Philemon 329.
Dennis Ngau of PBB retained the interior Orang Ulu constituency of Telang Usan, beating PKR’s Roland Engan in a straight fight by 167 votes. In 2011, Dennis won a four-cornered contest by 845 votes.
In Ba’kelalan, Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian staved off a challenge from his nephew, Willie Liau of BN, in a high-profile rematch. Baru won by 538 votes, garnering 2,858 against Willie’s 2,302. In 2011, Baru won by a 473-margin.
In Pujut, DAP new face Dr Ting Tiong Choon beat BN’s Hii King Chiong of BN, Jofri Jaraie of PAS and former assemblyman Fong Pau Teck, who stood as an independent after being sacked from the DAP in 2013. Dr Ting polled 8,899 votes, Hii 7,140, Jaraie 413, and Fong 375.
-BERNAMA