Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud said today he is ready to face his second cousin, former federal deputy education minister Salleh Jafaruddin, in Balingian in the state election.

The state BN chairman said that he does not feel threatened by the candidacy of Salleh, who he added, was free to contest in an election.

NONE"There are many kinds of candidates. People know and can judge for themselves what kind of character he is," Taib (left) told reporters at Lundu near Kuching when asked to comment on the candidacy of Salleh, who did not reveal the party he would represent.

Balingian is headed for a three-cornered fight, with PKR fielding sundry shop owner Suriati Abdullah in the constituency.

Taib, who earlier opened the Sampadi Nation Building Camp, was also asked why BN had delayed naming its candidate for Ba'Kelalan.

"We didn't want the other side to anticipate our new face. It's our tactic. We have three names to consider and we made the choice a while ago. The area is also a tricky one," he said.

Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party youth leader for Ba'kelalan, Willie Liau, was named to contest in the Orang Ulu heartland to replace incumbent Nelson Balang Rining.

Willie, a lawyer, faces Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian.

- Bernama