PKR which is fielding five-time elected representative Jawah Gerang, 55, is predicting 'a tough fight' in the April 7 Batang Ai by-election in Sarawak.

Barisan Nasional has picked senior Iban civil servant Malcolm Mussen Lamoh,49, as its standard-bearer and is confident of not only defending the seat but winning with an even bigger majority.

The main question being asked is: What would be the implications of a defeat for PKR and BN?

zaid ibrahim book launching 230309 anwar For PKR, led by former deputy premier and Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim, 61, a defeat could spell the end for the party’s dream to capture Sarawak two years down the road.

For Sarawak BN and its long-serving Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud, 72, a defeat could mean the first major sign of change in the rural (Dayak) political thinking vis-a-vis the BN government.

So it is only to be expected that in this crucial by-election, the ruling coalition comprising Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), Sarawak United People’s Party (Supp), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) will unleash its full might.

Resources-wise, Anwar said his PKR or Pakatan Rakyat cannot match BN but they are counting on the 'winds of change' blowing this way from Peninsular Malaysia after the political 'tsunami' of the March 2008 general elections.

PKR's success in Batang Ai will depend on how they can exploit the grievances of young voters who account for more than 4,000 of the 8,129 electorate (this is the latest electoral roll).

Many local Ibans now openly tell the increasing number of visitors, including many curious outsiders who want to get a feel of the pulse on the ground, that they feel a change is on the way.

But if this is true, BN shows little signs of acknowledging it, believing that to the Ibans the most important thing is development which only the ruling coalition can deliver while the opposition parties can only talk.

Money, a crucial factor

In his immediate reaction to the announcement that PKR has picked Jawah as its candidate, PRS president Dr James Masing, who is also the BN director of operations for the Batang Ai by-election, said: "Jawah Gerang is no stranger to voters in Batang Ai."

"What he can and cannot do is an open book. It is a question of delivery between BN and PKR. Let the voters decide the best party to represent them," he added.

During his visit to Rumah Sepang, Sayat in Batang Ai on Sunday, Anwar told the longhouse people that he can show what a state Pakatan Rakyat government can do, citing the examples of the Selangor state government and promising to bring Selangor Menteri Besar Khalid Ibrahim to tell them what his government has done since they took office a year ago.

batang ai state seat past results 110309 Anwar spoke of the poor condition of the 8.2km road from the main Batang Ai road to Rumah Sepang and the issue of NCR land which has been taken away and given to companies with close connections to the state political leadership, mainly for logging and oil palm plantation.

Instead of giving the people land, he said 'the BN government has taken their land to give to crony companies, family members and friends of powerful politicians in the state'.

Batang Ai has perhaps seen more development than many other rural areas in Sarawak and the people's expectations may be different.

"What the increasingly educated Iban population want is more economic development, including better infrastructure like more roads, schools, clinics and hospitals, a better source of income, and more importantly that their adat or customs and native customary rights to their ancestral lands respected," said a school headmaster who declined to be named.

Money is likely to a decisive factor since the area is quite sparsely populated (22,000) spread across about 156 longhouses, half of which are only accessible by boat.

BN should have little trouble finding the money, but what about the opposition?

"We need the support of friends and sponsors who believe strongly in the alternative to BN that comes with PKR and Pakatan Rakyat led by Anwar," a state PKR leader said, adding: "DAP and Snap will be rallying behind Pakatan as they believe Pakatan will have a better chance without any in-fighting."