The Sarawak BN does not see opposition parties like PKR or the Sarawak National Party (Snap) as being a thorn in its side in the coming 10th state election.

Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu (PBB) deputy president Abang Johari Openg noted that PKR and Snap were not likely to give problems or challenge BN candidates in the rural bumiputera majority seats.

"They are still fighting over the seats. There is no sign of compromise on the horizon.

"Their relations are frail, in tatters. So, their organisation will be affected.

"Based on this, I do not think they are capable of fighting us (BN) as a force," he told the media in Mukah today after launching the People Friendly Homes scheme at Kampung Nelayan.

Abang Johari, who is also state housing minister, said even in urban areas, PKR was fighting for seats with the DAP, adding that it was obvious that Pakatan Rakyat was breaking up.

Earlier, he called on the people in the Balingian constituency to ensure Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud be returned unopposed.

"Not just our great leader but all BN candidates, as well. When there is continuity, we can progress and prosper even more," he said.

Meanwhile, Wanita BN Sarawak are hoping that there would be more women candidates fielded in the upcoming 10th state election.

The wing’s vice chairperson Rohani Abdul Karim said however, Wanita BN will leave it to the top leadership to decide and would not apply pressure on the matter.

"Of course we hope to see more women candidates (to be fielded) but we believe in the wisdom of the chief minister.

'It should not be an issue because interest and unity of BN is above all," she told Bernama today.

Currently there are only four BN female representatives in the 71-member state legislative assembly.

They are Sharifah Hasidah Sayeed Aman Ghazali (Samariang), Simoi Peri (Lingga), Fatimah Abdullah (Dalat) and Rosey Yunus (Bekenu).

The opposition has DAP's Violet Yong (Pending) and Ting Tze Fui (Meradong).

Rohani, who is also the deputy minister of domestic trade, cooperatives and consumerism, said BN also lacked capable and professional women leaders, stressing that all members in the component parties should help one another to ensure a win for the BN.

"What is more important is that everyone must heed prime minister's (Najib Abdul Razak) advise that only winnable individuals can be fielded as candidates," said the MP for Batang Lupar.

She added that at the Sarawak BN convention earlier this month, Wanita leaders from all the four component parties, PBB, Sarawak United People's Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) had also called for the leadership to consider more women candidates for the election.

Abdul Taib is expected to make known the BN's candidates list for the election a few days before the April 6, nomination day.

- Bernama