There is a possibility that a group of independents and opposition parties in Sarawak may form an alliance to take on the Barisan Nasional in the next state election due by September 2006.

According to State DAP chairperson Wong Ho Leng, this could happen and "the DAP is interested if we are approached".

"If our approaches are similar, I can't see why we cannot co-operate," he told malaysiakini today.

Wong was commenting on talk that a group of Dayak and Chinese intellectuals and professionals were contemplating creating a political platform to take on the BN in the coming polls.

DAP, a largely Chinese opposition party, has one state assembly seat (Kidurong) and one parliamentary seat ( Bandar Kuching) in Sarawak while other opposition groups, including State Reform Party (Star) and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) have none.

In addition to these parties, Sarawak National Party (Snap) and remnants of Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak will also be seeking a new platform to continue their political struggle.

Wong, a former one-term state assemblyperson for Bukit Asek in Sibu, warned however, that it would not be easy for such an opposition grouping to win many seats.

But there are winnable and contestable seats, according to Wong, identifying these as Padungan, Batu Lintang, Bukit Assek, Pahlawan, Bawang Assan and Kidurong.

"In the recent parliamentary elections, we won in Bukit Assek and Pahlawan and did well too in Bawang Assan," he said.

Wong also said that, contrary to speculation, he did not think state elections would be held next year.

"I think it will be before June 2006 as the state BN has not yet been able to resolve its internal problems - including those posed by the former PBDS," he said.

Wong said Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud would not step down soon as many have been speculating.

"He is very strong, very powerful and shrewd too," he said of the politician who has served as minister at federal and state levels for more than three decades.