Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) adviser Anwar Ibrahim's presence in Sarawak has no impact on the state Barisan Nasional (BN), said Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud today.

He said this was because the former deputy premier was only active on the sidelines and not in the state's mainstream politics.

His followers were also not those who were active in mainstream politics, he was quoted as saying by Bernama .

The chief minister, who is also state BN chairperson, said that PKR was not moving in the right political direction.

"In fact, I can also see their candidates, you know them," he said, apparently questioning the credibility of the opposition party's candidates.

On Anwar's criticism of the state government, Taib, who is also Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB) president said:

"He should question himself first before criticising me. Between he and I, who leads a better life?"

Mere entertainment

In another development, BN candidate for the Satok constituency Abang Johari Tun Openg dismissed the ceramah (talks) held by Anwar as 'mere entertainment'.

The PBB deputy president claimed that PKR, which was no longer accepted by the people in the peninsula, was devoid of issues pertaining to the situation in Sarawak.

"We (BN) know that Keadilan (PKR) is not very serious and is merely testing the ground in this state election. Even their candidates' credibility is questionable," he said.

Abang Johari ( right ) said BN only fielded credible candidates after conducting an assessment on their acceptability among the people.

Based on feedback from the ground, he said, Anwar's ceramah could be likened to mere entertainment as the opposition was under the impression that Sarawakians were ignorant of their political background.

Unlike the opposition, the BN did not partake in character assassination but was sincere in its struggle to help upgrade the people's socio-economic status, he added.

Map of Sarawak state seats