While the going will be very tough for the opposition to dislodge Barisan Nasional from Sarawak's Ba'Kelalan state seat, it is nevertheless important for the ruling coalition to be given a run for its money.

"I am glad that Snap (the opposition Sarawak National Party) has announced its intention to contest in Ba'Kelalan because in every election - be it at the state or federal level - I believe there is a need for contest," said DAP Sarawak deputy chairperson Chiew Chin Sing.

Just like the athletes in the Olympic games, Chiew believed that politicians need to be challenged so that they would give their best for the betterment of the people.

Chiew said that the coming by-election is a great opportunity for Sarawakians to be represented by an alternative voice as BN lawmakers has already a dominant control over the state legislative assembly.

"I hope the people of Ba'Kelalan will share this view. In democracy, there is an equal need for the existence of government and opposition to spur the development of the country," he said.

The Ba'Kelalan by-election is called following the death of its representative, Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party's (SPDP) Dr Judson Tagal, in a helicopter crash last month.

The Election Commission (EC) has fixed Sept 9 as nomination day, and Sept 18 as polling day.

The seat is expected to witness a straight fight between Snap and its breakaway party SPDP, which will be contesting on the BN ticket.

Chiew expects the by-election to turn into an emotional battleground between (SPDP) members and Snap loyalists.

SPDP broke away from Snap two years ago after a long and bitter leadership struggle.

Uphill task

Meanwhile, Parti Keadilan Rakyat state liaison chief Hafsah Harun said Snap is facing an arduous task to wrest back the seat from SPDP.

"Ba'Kelalan's logistic is making it quite impossible for the opposition to make any impact because of their limitations. Ba'Kelalan requires helicopters or light aircraft for campaigning - machines which are only at BN's disposal.

"However, we are hoping that those who wish to see an alternative voice in the state assembly will vote for the opposition," said the opposition PKR leader.

Hafsah stressed that BN is expected to go to the extreme to win this by-election as there is just too much pride at stake after failing to maintain 100 percent record in the recent parliamentary election after DAP stole Bandar Kuching.

"They are definitely going to utilise the government machinery. Ministers will be using their ministry facilities such as helicopters and other transportation. What can you do?" she lamented.

She believed that the results of election in Sarawak would be very much different if opposition and government parties are given equal opportunity.

Chiew, who is the sole opposition in the state assembly, urged the Election Commission not to turn a blind eye to election offences.

"This election should be fair and people should be contesting on a level-playing field. Government machineries should not be mobilised as the election is between political parties," he said.

Sarawak did not hold its state election at the same time as the March 21 general election, but it is required to go to the polls before Sept 2006.

JIMMY TEOH is malaysiakini 's Sarawak-based stringer.