The coming state election of Sarawak will be a watershed for the opposition parties to see whether all the scandal and abuse of power by the ruling BN coalition will see the tide turning against them.

Still, it will be a Herculean effort for the fragile opposition parties to dislodge the well-oiled and rich Sarawak BN which is led by the old and well-tested Chief Minister Taib Mahmud who has headed the state since 1981. He is the only politician who can trace his roots to the time of first prime minister. And he is still clinging on to his powerful position.

One can see the disease of old politicians in that they don't want to groom potential candidates to replace them and they overstay their welcome. This is a perennial problem among our politicians here.

One tends to think that the outcome on the Sarawak election won't be a surprise if the local don't want to rock the boat and continue to vote in the incumbents. Then it will be business as usual with political elite being given a priority in the distribution of the state's assets.

And with less than a million voters to handle, one can expect to see that money politics rearing its ugly head again. Government machineries will also be used to the maximum to sway the voters in returning the present incumbent government to power.

Hopefully, Sarawakian voters will wake up from their slumber and see all the scandals which have resulted in a lot of state funds being drained. Hopefully, they will then vote in a more stronger opposition to check the abuse of the present state government.

This would also act as a good reminder to the longstanding chief minister to retire from office and allow new blood with better visions to lead a state rich in natural resources in achieving its full potential.