Sarawak Barisan Nasional does not foresee any obstacles in retaining all the 28 parliamentary seats in the state during the upcoming general election despite the crises in the ruling front, said its spokesperson Adenan Satem today.

The internal problems faced include the de-registration of two of its component parties Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak ( PBDS ) and the Sarawak National Party ( Snap ). The latter has also threatened to contest as an opposition.

PBDS has filed an appeal with BN chairperson and Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi while Snap has taken its de-registration to court. Both parties were de-registered due to leadership struggles.

Commenting on the PBDS issue, Adenan, who is also the state minister of agriculture and food industries, said the ruling front has devised a formula in the event the matter is not resolved before the polls but declined to elaborate.

However, informed sources told malaysiakini that the formula involved retaining the status quo in the present parliamentary line-up.

Last week, Sarawak Chief Minister and state BN chairperson Abdul Taib Mahmud hinted at a formula to resolve the candidate issue in PBDS if the rival factions are unable to reach a compromise.

The six parliamentary seats won by the party in the last polls are equally divided between the factions.

On the other hand, Snap - which has been granted a stay order on the de-registration pending a court appeal scheduled for June - is claiming the right to four seats, whose incumbents are now with the Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP).

SPDP - which has been accepted into the BN fold - was formed by rival leaders in the party lead by William Mawan after Snap was de-registered.

Its leaders argue that since Snap was booted out of the ruling front following its de-registration, the party had lost its right over the four seats - Mas Gading, Saratok, Bintulu and Baram.

Joseph Salang's battle

In a related development, the Julau parliamentary constituency has seen some active campaigning with incumbent PBDS leader Joseph Salang Gandum battling attempts by his colleagues-turned-rivals to uproot him.

According to a local daily today, 360 out of the 420 longhouse chieftains in the constituency had gathered at a hotel in Sibu to show their support for Salang ( photo ) yesterday.

The party's Baut branch chairperson Mok Gelot was quoted as saying that contrary to some claims, Salang was a responsible MP and delivered many development projects for the benefit of the people.

He also alleged that there were rival leaders going around promising money and projects in return for support.

In a press statement released by the longhouse chiefs after the meeting, they praised Salang as a leader who understood the needs of the people.

"Should the matter (PBDS issue) be unresolved by that time (before elections), there is nothing wrong for Joseph Salang to select a party symbol of his own choice. There has been a precedent for 'direct' BN candidacy, for instance," they added.

On the opposition front, Sarawak DAP is expected to concentrate on Chinese-majority or urban seats such as in Kuching, Sarikei, Sibu, Bintulu and Miri.

It's chances in Bandar Kuching and Bintulu are rated better than the rest as known candidates will be fielded. However, the split in the opposition ranks in Kuching could pose a problem.