The Barisan Nasional in Sarawak has picked Nelson Balang, the former private secretary to the late Dr Judson Tagal, as the BN candidate for the upcoming Be'kalalan state by-election.

The decision was reached by consensus at a state BN meeting this afternoon in Kuching, according to Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud, who is also the state BN chairperson .

The Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP), a member of the state's four-member ruling coalition, had submitted a list of names, but Nelson's was not on top of the list.

SPDP had proposed a Lun Bawang dentist, Dr Bob Baru, as its first choice, with three other names as alternatives.

Taib told reporters that the consensus on the final choice had been reached after he consulted Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on the matter.

Nelson was a former bank officer before he joined the late Dr Judson, the state assistant minister who was among seven killed in a Hornbill Skyways' helicopter crash in Bario on July 12.

Other than having been private secretary to Dr Judson, the chief minister said Nelson was also familiar with the Be'kalalan area and therefore would be well-placed to continue with Dr Judson's work and help bring development to the constituency.

Leaders disappointed

Today's decision is certain to disappoint many senior party leaders of SPDP who had pushed hard for Baru, who had been strongly recommended by several branches in the local area.

Even the late Dr Judson's brother Mutang Tagal, who is a former member of parliament representing Taib's Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu Sarawak (PBB), had offered himself as candidate.

But powerful sections of the state BN leadership, including PBB treasurer and state minister Awang Tengah, had indicated to the chief minister his preference for Nelson, who is seen to be close to the elected leaders from the area.

"It's quite obvious they want somebody who is less independent in thinking and would not mind running errands," one disappointed Lun Bawang professional told malaysiakini.

With Nelson as a candidate, it is almost certain that the opposition Sarawak National Party (Snap) will now join the fray.

Snap president Edwin Dundang had indicated that the party might stay away from the Sept 18 by-election if Dr Roland Mathu, SPDP's Be'kalalan division acting head, was picked as BN candidate.

Despite their obvious disappointment, SPDP leaders this afternoon tried to put up a united front, saying that their aim now to ensure the victory of the BN candidate.