Opposition candidates for Sarawak polls to be known by next week

(Bernama) – With the exception of Sarawak National Party (SNAP), the opposition pact of DAP, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) and PAS will thrash out the 71-seat allocation among themselves by next week.

Sarawak PKR chairman Baru Bian told Bernama here on Saturday, March 19 , the party had shortlisted the candidates and expected it to be finalised by Sunday.

He said the PKR political bureau would make the endorsement before the (PKR) president made an official announcement.

On the State Legislative Assembly dissolution on Monday, he said the party was not surprised over Chief Minister Tan Abdul Taib Mahmud’s announcement.

“We are mentally prepared,” he said.

Sarawak DAP chairman Wong Ho Leng said the party was ready to face the coming state election and would finalise the candidates, latest by Tuesday.

“We are confident the negotiations involving PKR, PAS and SNAP on the overlapping seats could be resolved amicably before nomination,” he said.

Sarawak PAS commissioner Adam Ahid said the party was eyeing six state seats in the Malay-majority areas of Tupong, Sadong Jaya, Sebuyau, Beting Maro and the mixed-population in semi-urban Jepak and Senadin.

“However, the seat negotiations with DAP and PKR have not been finalised and maybe, we will contest less than that because of the overlapping claim for seats

in certain areas,” he said, adding that the final decision on where PAS contested would be known by Monday.

It was previously reported that DAP had three seats overlapping with PKR and one each with PAS and SNAP.

The DAP is said to be planning to contest in 20 seats while PKR is eyeing 52 seats.