With polling six days away for the Ba'Kelalan state seat in Sarawak, supporters of Independent candidate Baru Bian are gearing up for the straight fight against Barisan Nasional's (BN) Nelson Balang .

"We are up against the awesome machinery and resources of the BN," said his campaign spokesperson who was contacted by telephone in Lawas.

The state seat, which fell vacant when incumbent Dr Judson Tagal died in a helicopter crash on July 12, is predominantly populated by the Lun Bawang.

Both Baru and Balang - the Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party Youth leader - belong to this native community.

Baru's supporters are banking on the fact that he comes from a respected family with strong links to the Sigil Indang Borneo church group, as well as on his work as a lawyer defending native customary rights on land.

His spokesman claimed that, in Lawas and Limbang, even the Iban are affected by land-related problems and that "there is a great deal of unhappiness among them".

Asked if campaign teams are on their way to the highland settlements, he said they "are already in every village".

"Our people will carry video cameras or cameras to closely monitor activities over the final days of campaigning to collect evidence of any corrupt practices," he said.

Personalities, not parties

Due to lack of resources, Baru supporters are adopting a ' whispering campaign ' use of short messaging system (SMS) in areas where mobile services are available, such as Lawas and Limbang. Satellite phones are being used in places like Bario, Ba'Kelalan and Lio Matu.

Political analysts expect about 60 percent voter turnout, although the Baru camp is confident that many traditionally BN voters will show up for the contest of personalities.

About 3,500 voters of the 7,700-strong electorate are from the Lun Bawang community. There are about 1,400 each of Kelabit and Iban, with the others being Malay and Chinese Malaysians.

Observers say there will be a close contest for Lun Bawang ,Tagal and Kelabit votes. The Iban vote could play a deciding role, with this tribe mainly distributed among 200 longhouses in the Ulu Limbang area.

A political scientist with a local university said: "The Independent candidate has the edge, as I see this by-election as a sort of referendum on the choice of candidate."

However, the BN camp is equally confident that Balang ( photo ) will retain the seat held by the coalition - Judson was returned unopposed twice in the previous two state elections, while there is a strong track record of BN-led development in the area.

TONY THIEN is malaysiakini 's Sarawak-based stringer.