Seat squabble: DAP threatens to contest Batu Kitang

On the eve of nominations, DAP and PKR are still squabbling over seats that each should contest in the Sarawak state election.

Sarawak DAP Chairman Chong Chieng Jen said his party will contest an additional seat if PKR goes for any of the constituencies on its list tomorrow.

"If there is any overlapping of seats, we will contest Batu Kitang," he said. This is one of the 11 new seats that has been allocated to PKR, for which it has named Voon Shiak Ni as candidate.

"DAP has sacrificed Batu Kitang, a safe seat for DAP, to PKR. It is an effort to make peace with PKR even though surveys showed that voters preferred DAP candidates. Now PKR are asking for more seats. It shows that they have a clear intention to breach our agreement.

"The national leaders of the two paties have agreed that there would be no overlapping of seats between us. So, honour the agreement or we will field someone in Batu Kitang," Chong said at a press conference.

He showed the media a handwritten agreement between PKR deputy president Azmin Ali and DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng signed on April 7 allocating Batu Kitang, Marudi, Machan, Layar and Belaga to PKR, and Senadin, Mulu, Tasik Biru, Simanggang, Mambong, Bukit Semuja, Ngemah and Murum to DAP.

PKR is said to want to contest in the five seats allocated to DAP.

DAP has announced that it would contest in 30 constituencies while PKR said it would vie for 40 seats but has named only 35 candidates so far.