I am a new reader to malaysiakini . If not for the wide publicity against malaysiakini in the media recently, I am sure many of us would not be aware that there is such a useful alternative medium.

I read with interest all your occasional reports on Sarawak politics. As a senior government servant on the verge of retirement (optional) I would like to suggest that you increase coverage on Sarawak in view of the coming state elections. The local papers in Sarawak are controlled by the Chief Minister and his group. We don't see fair coverage on issues brought up by opposition and independent candidates. Though not all issues brought up by these groups are important or correct, any real issue should be duly reported.

Lim Kit Siang is a respected opposition leader here. I agree with Albert Tegap's comments on his request for more attention to the land issues ([#1] Hopes pinned on Kit Siang [/#], March ). I believe this is the only real issue in the coming elections.

I know many old people who used to vote loyally for Barisan Nasional for the past five general elections are determined to vote differently this time. My aged father and many of my aunties and uncles are doing the same thing.

All these people have one thing on their minds: To change the present state government and to request the repeal of the land laws that were amended more than five times by the Chief Minister over the past 10 years.

The silent joke among civil servants here is that the state BN under Abdul Taib Mahmud is desperate to find the catchiest slogan. Cynical officials suggested: "Vote BN - For a few billion dollars more".

The billions don't refer to the development and operational funds, but the monetary rewards the cronies will get.

Keadilan, at national level is well respected. But the leaders in Kuching are mostly tainted with links to Tun Abdul Rahman Yaakub and hence to Taib. Some of the DAP leaders in Sarawak are rather muted.

Their performance in the state assemblies is almost like that of BN Yang Berhormats .But their national chairperson Lim Kit Siang and Karpal Singh are highly regarded and could help to shore up confidence on new DAP candidates.

I disagree with City of Cats on Sim Kwang Yang, our former DAP MP for Bandar Kuching ([#2] Sarawakians don't need Kit Siang [/#], March 29). Many are suspicious of how he swtiched parties and recently made statements in the Borneo Post as if he is supporting the candidacy of Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP) and hence BN.

Malaysiakini should assist voters in Sarawak by increasing quality coverage on issues presented by non-BN candidates. We may be seeing a new government after the next elections. Keadilan and PAS may succeed in securing a strong foothold in the Malay- and bumiputra-majority areas.

A strong DAP, backed by its national leadership, is needed to bring forward serious issues to put BN on its toes.