The DAP is basing the upcoming fight for the Sibu by-election on an agenda of reforms, and is expecting to confront what they foresee will be a financial whitewash by the Barisan Nasional campaign machinery.

Riding on the slogan "Sibu leads the change," the Pakatan Rakyat member-party is hoping they can maximise efforts to convince the electorate that political reform is the only way to a better future for the constituency.

"Unless there is political reform, the Barisan Nasional MPs will not speak up against corruption, because their allegiance is not to the people who elected them but to the chief minister who appointed them to stand for election," said Bandar Kuching MP Chong Chieng Jen.

chong chieng jen launch sarawak poll Chong ( right in photo ) was speaking via video conference from Sibu, during the simultaneous launch of DAP's election fund-raiser in Sibu and Petaling Jaya earlier today.

He claimed that the burning issue facing the Sarawak electorate today is the rampant corruption and monopolistic control exerted by Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud's family over government contracts and procurements.

"The key to breaking this economic control over state resources is political reform, and this by-election is a chance for the people to stand up to one person," Chong said in reference to Abdul Taib.

                        

Rough seas ahead

But the DAP is under no illusion that it will be smooth sailing when they hit the campaign trail after nominations on 8 May.

sibu by-election 290410 introduce rocket tabloid Echoing DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng's views, party elections committee chief Tan Kok Wai ( 2nd from right ) declared that the Sibu by-election will be their "greatest challenge since 308 (the March 2008 general election)".

Tan said the BN machinery will be bursting at the seams with campaign money from the federal and state governments, not to mention the personal wealth of their candidate Robert Lau Hui Yew's family.

The Lau family owns and runs KTS, considered one of the largest timber conglomerates in the world.

"Sibu will be an occasion where at least twice the amount of money will be spent compared to Hulu Selangor," said Tan, referring to Pakatan's claim that their rival spent over RM160 million in goodies and election promises made to woo voters in the recent contest.    

But Tan, who is also Cheras MP, is optimistic that their chosen candidate, Sarawak DAP chief and Bukit Assek assemblyperson Wong Ho Leng, will rise to the challenge.

"We are very confident that we can face up against the monetary power of the BN and beat them.”

"The Sarawakians are annoyed and frustrated with 30 years of undemocratic and corrupt governance under the BN state government and Taib. The wish of the Sarawakians is that the BN government be taught a lesson," he declared.

'Malaysians do your part '

The DAP, however, admits that they cannot do it alone, and urged all Malaysians, especially those from Sibu, to play a part in the bid for change.

Election committee secretary and Bukit Bendera MP Liew Chin Tong stressed that the Sibu contest is significant to all Malaysians nationwide, because a parliamentary seat is at stake.

"I urge the people to do three things: donate what you can to our funds, volunteer your time, be it here or in Sibu, and most importantly, go home (to Sibu) and vote," he said.