Sarawak DAP has sounded a warning to BN leaders in the state that it means business in setting up branches in 21 rural constituencies under its ‘Impian Sarawak’ project .

The fifth and most recent branch has been formed in Pakan, represented by William Mawan Ikom, the president of the Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party and social development minister.

chong chieng jen interview 141108 01 The branch has a protem committee and 55 members now, and is waiting for approval from the Registrar of Societies, said state DAP head Chong Chieng Jen (left) .

The other rural constituencies are Tasik Biru, Bengoh, Kedup, Tarat, Balai Ringin, Simanggang, Engkilili, Bukit Saban, Layar, Meluan, Ngemah, Katibas, Pelagus, Belaga, Kakus, Kemena, Marudi, Bekenu, Bukit Kota and Batu Danau.

Chong reiterated that the key to changing the political landscape will hinge on how the party performs in rural constituencies in the 14th general election.

The party has allocated nearly RM600,000 to set up the branches in a bid to break the BN hegemony in rural areas.

In the 2011 state election the BN, which has regarded rural constituencies as its ‘fixed deposit’, won 53 rural seats. Sarawak has 71 state seats.

Chong said the DAP is grooming Rinda Juliza Alexander, 28, - also the Pakan branch protem secretary - to challenge Mawan in the next state election.

“For the time being , she will be attached to our Sarikei MP, Wong Ling Biu, to learn (how to serve) the people and liaise with government departments,” he said.

NONE The DAP sees Mawan (right) as a lame duck who is burdened with duties that he cannot handle effectively.

“As a member of parliament (for Saratok), he has to attend to sittings for up to 60 days at a time. It is a full-time job, so his duties as a senior minister and as Pakan state assemblyperson will be neglected,” said Chong.

He said Mawan has been losing support in Pakan, judging by the votes obtained - the majority went down from 2,302 in 2001 to 1,763 votes in 2006, and then to 1,197 votes in 2011.

He could have lost the seat in 2011 if his opponent Jamal Abdullah @ Tedong Anak Gunda of the Sarawak National Party (Snap) had sufficient resources for his campaign.

Even then Jamal was the only Snap candidate who did not lose his deposit.

The writer, who uses a pseudonym, is based in Sarawak.