Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud has been challenged by a local opposition leader to back his claim that opposition parties in the state were threatening to use violence in the run-up to the coming state elections.

Sarawak State Reform Party (Star) secretary-general Francis Siah said Taib should produce the evidence and name those involved.

"I have waited for almost a month for him to do so but he has yet to come up with the proof he claims to have," said Siah in a statement today.

Taib had voiced his allegations on April 16 and three days later said that he would produce evidence to prove there were signs that the opposition groups were advocating violence, said Siah.

The chief minister declared that he would bring forth the evidence after Star and Keadilan Sarawak lodged a police report against him on April 18, claiming that his remarks were seditious.

Two days later, Siah said he would stand by Taib to condemn those who incite violence if the latter could show the evidence.

'Undesirable actions'

Taib should produce the evidence now as, "If he does not do so, then he will be judged as a liar and be responsible for threatening the people of Sarawak with violence," said Siah.

He added that Taib was desperate and would take more "undesirable actions" to cling on to power.

"My party will never resort to violence and will always condemn any organisation or individual who uses violence to win the people's support in the coming state elections," said Siah.

The Sarawak state elections must be held before this November this year.