The Sarawak National Party (Snap) has shortlisted five individuals with 'very high credentials' for the upcoming Ba'Kelalan by-election in Sarawak.

Party deputy president Justine Jinggut said he would go down to the ground to check the general feeling of the people about the candidates.

"As the director of operation, I will personally check and make sure that we are fielding the best candidate. We have to listen to our members," he added.

Unlike its rival, the Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP), which has already revealed its candidate, Snap said it will only announce its contender on nomination day Sept 9.

"We need to consult the grassroots and it will take at least two weeks for us to do that, we only be naming our candidate when the time comes," said the deputy president.

The Ba'Kelalan by-election was called after incumbent Dr Judson Tagal, who was also SPDP secretary-general, perished with six others in a recent helicopter crash.

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Elaborating on Snap's choice, Jinggut said the candidate must be matured and well-versed with the issues affecting the Dayak community.

"We are not interested in a individual who promotes 'personal politics' but somebody with charisma who can speak over the short term and long term issues affecting the community," he added.

Jinggut admitted that the contest would not be easy but stressed that his party was banking on its track record of serving the people.

Snap, a former Barisan Nasional component party, is now no longer in the ruling coalition following a protracted leadership struggle that led to its de-registration.

However, the party has obtained a stay of execution pending a court appeal. SPDP was formed by former Snap leaders and the party was subsequently accepted into BN.

Meanwhile, the Star reported that Mutang Tagal, brother of the late Ba'Kelalan incumbent, is tipped to be BN candidate.

The former Bukit Mas MP is said to be a crowd favourite in the 8,000-strong constituency.

"The people know him very well. He has served as MP before and he has been actively involved in political and community issues in Ba' Kelalan when his brother served there during the past two terms.

"The Tagal family is very much respected in the constituency. Mutang will be the favourite in winning the seat if he was the BN candidate," said a source.

Other than Mutang, four other names mentioned were Nelson Balan Rining, Dr Bob Baru, Dr Roland Matu and William Ghani Bina

JIMMY TEOH is malaysiakini 's Sarawak-based stringer.