Sarawak polls: PKR may not follow seat allocations, three-cornered fights possible

(The Star) – Three-cornered fights may happen in certain areas if PKR decides not to follow seat allocations that have been agreed to, says Sarawak DAP.

Speaking to reporters at the DAP headquarters here, state party chief Chong Chin Jien said both parties came to an agreement earlier this week before the announcement of nomination and poll dates.

“If PKR does not stick to its word then yes, there will be three-cornered fights,” he said.

He said there were two factions within PKR, one supporting party president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah and another for vice president Datuk Seri Azmin Ali.

“Negotiations were difficult, but it was Datuk Seri Azmin Ali who sorted it out to get both factions to agree,” he said.

However, he said a third faction has emerged which does not agree with the seat allocations.

“DAP wants to stick to what has been officially agreed,” he said.

“We will hold to our agreement and we hope PKR will respect what was agreed to,” he added.

Sarawak PKR chairman Baru Bian said the allocation of seats discussed at national level was not in line with what had been decided at state level.

“We have indicated to our national leaders that we are unable to accept their decision as far as the allocation of seats is concerned.

“We are henceforth taking back the mandate given and will make a final decision on the seats we are contesting,” he said during a press conference at state PKR headquarters.

He added that their choice of candidate was solely based on the likelihood they would win the seat, and not for any other reason.

Baru also said that one or two seats could see PKR and DAP going head-to-head if the matter was not resolved before nomination day.

“It is regrettable that certain parties have seen fit to jeopardise the Opposition coalition’s potential to increase the number of seats in the coming election by their conduct these past few months while negotiations were taking place,” he said.