The answer to the question whether PAS could secure its first seat in Sarawak, hinges on how well the Islamic party can understand the needs of the local Malay community which forms the majority in all five constituencies it is contesting.

NONE Apart from their seemingly "extraordinary loyalty" to the BN, the Sarawak Malay community - one of the minority ethnic groups in the state,- their concern is the candidates' ability to deliver on their election promises, especially those related to physical development.

Observers pointed out that the community's political calculation is quite simple and practical - if PAS with Pakatan Rakyat is seen as a coalition that remains in the opposition after April 16, it would not win their vote.

However, so far only the campaign machinery in Beting Maro - the first seat that PAS is struggling to secure - appears to have woken up to this reality and taken action to address it.

"We told the voters, if we manage to form the government with the Pakatan, all the issues relating to NCR land would be solved easily.

"But if we could only remain as opposition, we would stop the current government from alienating lands at their whim," said a PAS election officer Jamaludin Ishak.

NCR land issue continues burning

The NCR land is a hot issue and also the major demand of the bumiputra community in every election.

Quite a number of land owners face problems obtaining individual titles for land inherited from their ancestors. There are also disputes in differentiating between NCR and state land.

When contacted by Malaysiakini on Thursday, Jamaludin said that to show the party's sincerity in solving this long-time issue, PAS will collect information on the problem while visiting voters.

The party will provide legal aid to affected voters once the polls are over, he added.

NONE PAS's candidate for Beting Maro, Abang Ahmad Kerdee Abang Masagus, is also a practising lawyer.

The inspiration for the move apparently came from their alliance with the PKR whose leaders like Baru Bian ( Ba'Kelalan candidate) and See Chee How ( Batu Lintang candidate) are well-known for representing the land owners in court over NCR land disputes.

Unfortunately in other constituencies contested by PAS - Tanjung Datu , Sebuyau , Muara Tuang dan Sadong Jaya , the same approach had not been adopted.

PAS's aim is to secure at least three seats namely Beting Maro, Sadong Jaya dan Sebuyau, where BN's majority in was less than 900 in the last state polls.

Adapting to suit different environment

Victory in this election is crucial for the continuity of PAS in Sarawak and would inject new spirit in members who have never tasted victory since the party ‘s maiden foray in 2003.

NONE Eight years after expanding to Sarawak, as an Islamic party in a plural society, PAS has been gradually adjusting its position to be seen as such.

The party also believed that it has to depend on other factors to project a positive image as an Islamic party within a multi-racial and multi-religious society.

Hence the move to field two females and a young male to contest three of five seats allocated to the party, is a calculated political decision, said director of Sarawak state election Nasharudin Mat Isa.

"Of course we have our calculation. For instance, the candidate for Beting Maro, Abang Ahmad Kerdee is a young lawyer and also youth activist, this is the best choice for the people.

Shaping public opinion BN style

"The selection of female candidates reflects that we have candidates from different backgrounds," said the PAS deputy president when contacted recently.

nasharudin mat isa interview 060607 smiles On the reason for the opposition's failure to win voters's support even though the NCR issue had been repeatedly raised during previous polls, Nasharudin ( right ) cited the domination of the mainstream media and geographical factors which hindered effective dissemination of information.

"The people have almost no access to information. What has become the deciding factor is dollar and cent (money politics)," added the Bachok MP.

Unlike in the peninsula, PAS did not touch on controversial religious issues such as using the Allah word by the non-Muslims and the impoundment of Al Kitab.

According to a Malay community leader, those controversies would not take off in the land of Hornbills as long as the current government continues to uphold the welfare of all religions.

dr juanda jaya perlis mufti candidate 081106 "As along as there are facilities and allocations given to mosques and churchs, Sarawak society will not bother (about those issues). The politics here is different from peninsular Malaysia," said Perlis Mufti Juanda Jaya ( left ), originally from Sarawak and still a voter there.

Juanda also revealed that the BN nourishes its popularity among the information-deprived people by sending its "messengers" to shape public opinion in markets and coffee shops.

"This is what Pakatan has not learnt from Sarawak BN," said the Mufti who will be going back to vote on April 16 in Jemoreng.