Sarawak Barisan Nasional (BN) chairperson Abdul Taib Mahmud, sensing unhappiness with his leadership to date, has warned the Malay-Muslim community in the state against venting their anger on Petra Jaya parliamentary candidate Fadillah Yusop.

"Muslims, as a minority group in Sarawak, should think over their current situation to avoid drifting further apart," he told Malay-Muslim leaders at the opening of a mosque at Kampung Samariang Lama yesterday.

Taib, who is Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu Sarawak (PBB) president, was clearly alluding to reports that some quarters in his party are unhappy with the decision to field Fadillah instead of Kuching-based Malay lawyer Ibrahim Baki , said to be the grassroots choice.

Fadillah ( photo, left ) , PBB youth secretary, is being challenged by Keadilan's sole candidate in Sarawak, accountant Wan Zainal Wan Sanusi.

In the last parliamentary election, the Petra Jaya result was a close one between the two parties. A tough fight is expected in the election to be held on March 21.

Then, PBB's Sulaiman Daud won with a majority of 2,870 votes after obtaining 11,878 votes to defeat Keadilan's Wan Zainal Abidin Wan Sanusi who got 9,008 votes.

A narrow victory for BN would prove that Malays are becoming increasingly disenchanted with the state leadership, and send out signals of the community's hostility.

PBB policy

Taib defended the selection of Fadillah, saying it is PBB's policy "to allow highly-qualified members to contest in areas anywhere in the state and not be confined to their own hometowns"

He said this would allow competent and credible leaders to lead and to serve the people wherever they are residing.

'In Kuching, there are many people who were originally from other places but, because of their love for this city, they have decided to become part of its community,' said Taib.

Citing his own case, he said he was originally from Miri but had been contesting elections and serving people in other areas in the state.

Taib said it was disappointing that some Malays still doubt the BN's sincerity and good intentions and that they are willing to undermine its efforts to develop the country.

"Do not risk our future.we have to think and make our own analysis," he told anti-BN Malays, pointing to the BN's efforts to bring about progress through its power-sharing structure.

He added that the refusal of these Malays to recognise the government's good intentions, coupled with their "harsh and personal views", would only result in negative consequences for themselves and their community.