Support for Sarawak BN chief Adenan Satem, especially among the bumiputera, appears unshakeable.

In Kuching and Sibu, where BN are locked in tough fights with DAP, Muslim bumiputera constituents have their hearts set on Adenan to remain as chief minister.

Despite local issues plaguing some parts, Adenan's popularity cements BN's hold in bumiputera-majority constituencies.

In fact, those met by Malaysiakini commend Adenan for having a strong local focus.

Abby Adabi, 49, from Kampung Bandong, Sibu said he is happy with development in the area, especially refurbishments in the trading area of Bandong Walk.

"I am satisfied with Tok Adenan," he said, referring to him as most do in the state.

"I am satisfied with the development he has brought, his administration. I am very satisfied and thankful to him. I am so grateful for him," Abby added.

The bumiputera community makes up 35 percent of Sibu residents, 20 percent of whom are Muslims.

The Sibu area is split into three state constituencies - Bawang Assan (47 percent bumiputera), Pelawan (nine percent bumiputera) and Nangka (51 percent bumiputera).

In the 2011 state polls, BN won Bawang Assan and Nangka with a clear majority of 1,808 and 5,302 votes respectively but DAP took Pelawan by a landslide 6,391 votes.

Wong Sun Koh, former UPP president who quit to be BN direct candidate for Bawang Assan, defends the seat against DAP's Chiew Sung Ngie, Star's Wong Sing Wei and two independent candidates.

In Nangka, PBB's Dr Annuar Rapaee defends his seat against PKR newbie Ahmad Rafiidin Majidi and Star's Tiong Ing Tung, while DAP's Pelawan incumbent Wong Ke Woan is up against BN direct candidate Janet Lau and Star's Priscilla Lau.

Better than Taib

The then-Pakatan Rakyat candidates had in 2011 campaigned using anti-Abdul Taib Mahmud sentiments, riding dissatisfaction with the state's longest-serving chief minister. This is no longer relevant with Adenan at the helm.

"Tok Adenan is good. He is better compared to Taib. He blocked illegal logging. This didn't happen before," Kampung Hilir, Sibu resident Salihin Yusop, 53, said.

Rosnah Abdullah, 40, said everyone in the state loves Adenan.

"I have lived in Sibu for 30 years. Everything is developed. I really like him, especially with all this development. For everyone, Adenan is number one...

"The opposition cannot give the same sort of development. This is why people don't like them."

Her views are also shared by young voter Dayang Nor Aqilah, 26, who said there is not much that the opposition can do for the people.

"It is difficult for the opposition to deliver on what we ask for. I asked for something but didn't get it. It is easier with the government," she said.

Opposition success in Sarawak has been mostly limited to Chinese-majority urban areas.

In Kuching, DAP won Chinese-majority seats Padungan and Pending with a resounding majority of 7,884 and 7,59 votes respectively.

Seven percent of Padungan is bumiputera while non-Chinese voters make up 10 percent of Pending.

Their views reflect why the rest of Sarawak remains in the grips of BN.

Hasanah Bujang, 47, for example, is won over by the fact that the BN leaders in Santubong often lend a helping hand to the hardcore poor in the area.

Hasanah, a fishmonger, said the BN leaders also help the community put their children through school.

"As usual, I will support BN as I always have. BN has helped our children with their schooling, they give scholarships," she said.

But not everything received are to specification.

Kampung Buntal, Kuching fisherman Ladi Mahidi, 60, is grateful for the subsistence allowance and fuel subsidy he receives but wonders when the retaining wall and recreational park promised will come to be.

"They also promised to give boats, but we only received small boats which cannot be taken to sea.

"The boat is only suitable for the river, but the crocodiles await. We feel disappointed," he said.