Money will be offered again come election day in Sarawak and many voters are expected to be swayed by the mere sight of ringgit, said residents in Samariang, Kuching today.

Minang Hj Tunjang told malaysiakini that he expected to be given an envelope containing money by Barisan Nasional supporters as he enters the polling station tomorrow.

"It can range from RM5 to RM50. They did it during the last general elections. Those who take the money will feel guilty and then vote for the BN," said the 56-year-old fisherman.

Minang, who hailed from Kg Semerah Padi, Samariang, is secretive about his political allegiance.

He said that "only tomorrow we will know what is truly in the people's hearts".

Samariang is predominantly Malay-Melanau (89.2 percent), Chinese (1.3 percent), Iban (9.4 percent) and others (0.1 percent).

The four-corner fight between BN Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu's Sharifah Mordiah Tunku Fauzi, PAS' Mohamad Shokri Ahmad Fauzi, Keadilan's Wan Zainal Abidin Wan Senusi and Independent candidate Ariffin Abang Anuar, is expected to be a tough one.

However, many are placing their money on Keadilan, which is said to have 'very high' chances of winning the seat.

Nothing new

Nevertheless, BN has been perpetually reminding voters about the issue of violence and how the peninsula-based parties have brought about an aggressive culture into Sarawak politics.

Minang, however, said that this was nothing new and had existed in past elections as well.

Citing an example, the father of 14 said there was once where members of Parti Negara and Parti Berjasa fought in Sungai Mas during nomination day.

"There are even kampung (villages) where BN and non-BN members do not even talk or sit at the same table," he added.

Minang said he is fed-up with all the propaganda being churned out by both sides, and whatever he heard in ceramah (political gatherings) is taken with a pinch of salt.

Despite this, he hinted that Keadilan would get his vote if the party has 'rational minded-people to lead us'.

Minang also pointed out that it would be difficult for the people to reject PAS totally as that would appear to be rejecting Islam. "Some people may feel hurt".

A taxi-driver from Matang, who declined to be named, echoed a similar concern about money politics. He said in past elections, his kampung folks were offered money by BN ushers before they cast their votes.

"It was only RM5 but people here are poor and a little money goes a long way for them. Furthermore, there is the question of guilt," he told malaysiakini .

The 30-year-old said he would support the opposition "so that our voices can be heard in the state assembly".

"Even though the government has done much for the people, we need the opposition to keep them in check," he stressed.

While he is confident of Keadilan's victory in Samariang, he conceded that PAS' presence could affect the newcomer's chances of victory.

Dissatisfied Malays

Meanwhile, a civil servant claimed that he was told by BN supporters that a reward will await him if he votes for their candidate.

According to Saifuddin M, the supporters told him to see a teacher after casting his vote, to collect his reward.

"They said they would give me a prize," he said.

"But I am embarrass to take it as I will be driving my car with a Keadilan sticker on it on polling day," he said.

Saifudin said the Malays are very dissatisfied with the government and are feeling marginalised by the day.

"We are asked to move when the government wants to build roads and hotels to promote tourism - this, we do not consider development for the people," he said.

"The state seems to be more concerned about tourists than its own people. What we call development is when the government builds schools, low-cost housing and hospitals," he added.

Saifuddin said he has confidence in the Barisan Alternatif even though they are not expected to form the government this time around.

"The people need a strong opposition to keep the government on its toes," he said.

"There is a need for more check-and-balance or else they will ignore whatever grievances that the people have," added the civil servant.

Unforgivable treatment

Asked about the relationship between the opposition parties in Sarawak, Saifuddin said the cooperation between PAS and Keadilan was weak.

"They are hardly in contact. However, I am happy that DAP has pulled out of the BA as whatever it says and does would only be used by the BN as ammunition to slam the opposition," he said.

Saifuddin also expressed his disappointment with Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad for not supporting PAS on the setting-up of an Islamic state.

"As a Muslim, he should not be opposing the setting up of an Islamic state," he said, adding that he was also unhappy with the premier because of the Anwar Ibrahim issue.

"I use to admire Mahathir. He has really done good for us but his treatment of Anwar is unforgivable."

Anwar, who was the former deputy prime minister, was sacked from his post in September 1998. He was later charged and convicted for corruption and sodomy, and is presently serving a 15-year jail term.

Keadilan, which is helmed by Anwar's wife, Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, was formed after Anwar's sacking. It later formed the Barisan Alternatif coalition with other opposition parties, namely PAS, DAP and PRM.

Last Saturday, DAP pulled out of the coalition, citing irreconcilable differences with PAS over the latter's ambition of setting up an Islamic state.