Parti Cinta Malaysia (PCM) will not be much of a challenge to the BN in the coming state election, said Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) vice-president Joseph Mauh Ikeh.

He said the PCM would not be much of a threat because the rural folks were now more knowledgeable, politically practical and discerning people.

"The PCM has just appeared in the state political scene in January this year. It still has a lot to do and faces a lot of challenges in getting the people to know it better.

"I do not think it can accomplish much. Its effort may be just be an exercise in futility," he told Bernama in Kanowit last night.

State PCM chairman Gabriel Adit Demong recently disclosed plans to put up candidates in 10 to 15 rural and Dayak majority constituencies.

Mauh is also unfazed of the fact that his Tamin seat was being targeted.

He said Adit's leadership would be another factor why people would avoid the PCM.

azlan "He has hopped from the Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) to PKR. Now he is with the PCM. The last two are opposition parties which, rural folks know, have not been and will not be able to deliver," he said.

BN expected to win again

On whether the re-registered Sarawak National Party (Snap) should be invited back to the state BN's fold, Mauh said the party should prove its sincerity first.

"It should put back its house in order, clearly define its objective, struggle and whatnot. Again, there are news that it will continue to align itself with the opposition," he said.

On another matter, Mauh said although the state BN was expected to rule the state again after the coming election, its component parties should work hard.

"The coming election is going to be very tough. We should not be caught off guard. The recent Sibu by-election is a good lesson," he said.

- Bernama