Pakatan Rakyat (PR) Sarawak will conclude negotiations and announce its final seat allocation on Oct 2.
DAP and PKR admitted that overlapping claims had to be solved but declined to reveal which seats were affected, for now.
But they expressed confidence that an agreement would be sealed on Oct 2.
Both parties pointed out that the chances of overlapping claims on seats with its partner PAS were ‘very minimal’.
Recently, DAP said it was eyeing between 10 and 12 seats, while PKR between 12 and 15.
Speaking at a news conference here yesterday, state DAP chairman Wong Ho Leng said PR looked at who had the highest chance of winning when it came to negotiations.
He pointed out that “we all know which party has a better chance” as the coalition did not base a decision on feedback.
The last general election was held on March 8, 2008 and the 13th edition is only due in May 2013. But PR’s crystal ball gazers believed Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak would call for a snap election this coming November.
Wong, who is also Sibu MP and Bukit Assek assemblyman, said DAP had lined up capable candidates and would not field any random individuals.
“We have no problem with candidates. DAP’s candidates must be mature, responsible and are able to serve the rakyat,” he said.
Wong remained tight-lipped as to whether the party’s assemblymen and assemblywomen would be fielded in the 13th general election.
He also declined to comment on candidacy for Sibu. Nevertheless, it was certain that DAP would defend Bandar Kuching.
When pressed, he said: “Sibu could be one of the overlapping seats, which I cannot disclose now. It is not whether I’m interested because it does not work that way.”
State PKR chief Baru Bian, who was also present, said the negotiation was ‘really moving very well’ even though they had yet to reach a conclusion.
“So is PKR, we are ready,” replied Baru, when asked whether the party had identified potential candidates.
Baru, who is also Ba’ Kelalan assemblyman, however did not want to reveal if PKR would be fielding any woman candidate.
He merely said: “There are potential woman candidates.”
On the contrary, Wong last month told reporters that DAP would definitely “make sure the rights of women will be respected.”
Wong and Baru also unanimously said their state negotiation teams had the absolute authority and autonomy to make decisions.
“We decide and inform them (DAP national headquarters) that this is our list so that they can prepare the letters of authorisation as stipulated under the Election Laws,” said Wong.
Baru assured: “At this point of time, we have been given the mandate but, as a procedure, we need to report to Kuala Lumpur.”
PAS leaders were absent from the meeting as they had ‘party commitments’ in Terengganu.
No comments:
Post a Comment