The guessing game has started on the possible candidate to succeed the late Dr Judson Tagal, the former state assemblyperson for Ba'kelalan, in a by-election that, in the event of a contest, will be held on Sept 18. Nomination is on Sept 9.

The seat belongs to the Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP), one of the four component parties in the ruling state coalition.

SPDP president William Mawan has told close friends that he already has a name in mind and that top state BN leaders are in the picture.

The 8000-strong electorate in the most remote part of the hilly regions of Lawas Division in northern Sarawak comprises the Lun Bawang (70 percent) while the others are Kelabits and Ibans.

According to most observers, it is likely that a Lun Bawang will be chosen. Among the names mentioned as possible candidates are a Miri-based gynaecologist Bob Lagup, Sarawak Teachers Union (STU) president and unionist William Ghani Bina and Nelson Balang, a former bank officer who became private secretary to the late Judson.

Another name that has also been mentioned is Dr Judson's brother Mutang Tagal, a lawyer who served once as Bukit Mas MP. Another Lun Bawang lawyer whose name has also been mentioned is Baru Bian, well-known for his handling of Native Customary Rights (NCR) land cases in courts on behalf of native land-owners against the government.

Observers said that the candidate is likely to be chosen from among the Lun Bawang community, and one acceptable to Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud who chose and supported Judson's candidacy and made him an assistant minister after the 2001 state elections.

"The candidate must also be able to work closely with the elected leaders from the area like minister Awang Tengah Ali Hasan," they commented.

"There are no shortage of potential candidates with high calibre from the community, so other factors will also be important to determine the eventual choice," they added.

The chief minister is also expected to appoint a new assistant minister only after the by-election, according to sources. The reason is that he wants another Lun Bawang appointed to the post left vacant by Judson's demise.

Experienced unionist

Meanwhile, in a report filed by Jimmy Teoh , it is heavily speculated that popular Lun Bawang Association president William Ghani Bina will likely get the green light to be the BN candidate.

An experienced unionist, Ghani has also been working closely with state and federal leaders.

He is also president of the Sarawak Labour Council, president of the Sarawak Teachers Union, chairperson of Malaysia Teachers Joint Council (formed by teaching profession union that include representatives from vernacular schools nationwide) and former chairperson of Cuepacs Sarawak.

Asked for comment, William admitted that he was approached but insisted that priority should be given to the people's choice.

"There are many considerations to make, this is not a normal by election. We are talking about finding a replacement for a great leader whom the people lost through a tragic accident. We have to be very sensitive to the people's feeling and take the people's interests into account," he added.

Mawan said yesterday that the candidate would be picked based on his record and commitment to the development of the Ba' Kelalan constituency.

He also stressed that the candidate should possess the ability to continue with the work initiated by the late Judson ( pix ).