KUCHING, May 7 ― Just 8 per cent of Kota Sentosa has voted by noon, in the contest between Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen and Barisan Nasional's Wilfred Yap Yau Sin.

The seat is considered a DAP stronghold, but the unusually low turnout — well below the 31 per cent overall as of 11am — could signal the approximately 13,000 voters’ ire over the party’s infighting with ally PKR.

“Hopefully the turnout would be more. I am expecting more people to come around 2pm,” said polling station supervisor Zulkiplie Pani, 48, who added that very few among the young had voted.

The abnormal turnout was also noticed by voter Sim Kim Teck, 81, who said the station looked more deserted than in previous years.

Sim, who has voted here since the first state election, also said the outcome this time could be close.

“It's very hard for me to say who would be the winner. I wish the best for both the candidates,” said Sim.

Chong won by a landslide in 2011, beating BN’s Alfred Yap Chin Loi, Wilfred’s brother, by over 4,000 votes. The turnout then was 75.4 per cent.