DAP's sole Sarawak state assemblyperson Chiew Chin Sing has expressed confidence that the opposition will fare better in the forthcoming general election.

Chiew, who represents Kidurong, served as member of Parliament for Bintulu from 1995-1999. He failed to retain the seat in the 1999 general election, losing to Barisan Nasional's Tiong King Sing.

"Logically, we should have a better chance this time, since there have not been many benefits for the people from the Federal government over the last five years," Chiew claimed.

"But one can't be too sure as elections like this will be decided, among other things, by the number of contesting parties," he said, explaining that there are reports that even the Sarawak National Party (Snap), a former Barisan Nasional (BN) party, will be contesting in Bintulu.

However, Chiew said the DAP was determined to win, to enhance the opposition's role in Sarawak.

"Bintulu is one of the seats which can fall to the opposition, but we have to work hard for this," he said.

Chiew also said he was willing to stand again for the seat if nominated by the Sarawak DAP. He is deputy chairperson of the Sarawak DAP liaison committee.

On election issues, he said a key one will be the pressing need for Sarawak to be represented in the opposition in Parliament.

"How can we have a Parliament in Kuala Lumpur without any opposition MP from Sarawak? This is not what parliamentary democracy is all about. The voices of dissent from Sarawak must also be heard," Chiew said.

'No' to Islamic state

Another important issue, according to Chiew, will be the ongoing debate over the Islamic state proposed by PAS.

"We cannot accept and allow the declaration of former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, that Malaysia is an Islamic state (sic)," he said, noting that the stand was not consistent with the Federal Constitution which, among other things, stipulates that Sarawak will remain secular.

On corruption, he expressed approval of Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi's intention to give top priority to eradicating this scourge.

Chiew said the failure of the BN to keep its promise to bring TV3 to Bintulu is expected to be among local issues raised. He claimed that Tiong had reneged on the promise he made during the 1999 election campaign.

Another main concern covers land use, in particular the alleged encroachment by plantation companies into land held under native customary rights lands.

Bintulu residents will also be looking for improvements to the new airport access road and Pan Borneo Highway; measures to curb environmental problems from the proposed aluminium smelter plant at Similajau and the pulp and paper factory at Tatau; and enhancement of air quality.