Battle of the sexes in Lambir

Thorn among roses: An Election Commission officer (centre) announcing the Lambir candidates – Zulhaidah (from left), Dianne, Ripin and Lila.

KUCHING: It will be a battle of the sexes in Lambir where its incumbent Ripin Lamat will face three opponents, all of whom are women.

The Gabungan Parti Sarawak candidate will be the thorn among the roses in the four-cornered fight for the seat in the Miri area.

He will face Parti Sarawak Bersatu candidate Lila Mohamad, Zulhaidah Suboh of PKR and Dianne Oshield Nickson of Parti Bumi Kenyalang.

Ripin, who has served the constituency for two terms, said: “Taking part in an election is a democratic process. I welcome those who want to contest for the seat.”

On how he would rate his chances, Ripin said he would let his track record and service to the constituents to do the talking.

In the last election, Ripin won the seat with a 4,907-vote majority.

This will not be the first time that Zulhaidah, who is Sibuti PKR wanita chief, is taking on Ripin for the seat.

They had battled each other in the 2011 state polls for the seat which was eventually won by Ripin.

Lila, 28, is PSB’s Lambir vice-chairman while Dianne, also 28, serves as political affairs director for her party in the area.

Dianne said she was unruffled going against more experienced candidates.