Spectre of DAP-PKR clash looms

The departure of Sarawak PKR vice-chairman Boniface Willy Tumek from the party has laid bare the extent of dissent over seat allocation with the DAP for the 11th state election.

Tumek said PKR has failed to secure his nomination for the Tasik Biru constituency and allowed the DAP to take over the seat that PKR contested in 2011.

With nominations for the 82 state seats set for Monday, PKR has yet to name their candidates and where they will stand, unlike the DAP, raising the specter of the two parties clashing against each other in certain areas.

PKR was earlier reported to be eyeing 40 seats. In 2011, it contested 49 and won three.

DAP said today it would contest 30 seats, one more than initially announced, adding Bukit Goram to its list after Sarawak Workers Party president Larry Sng, who had planned to vie for the seat, quit his party.

Party state chief Chong Chieng Jen named 29 candidates, with the remaining one to be announced by Saturday. Mordi Anak Bimol was picked for Tasik Biru.

Asked if there will be any more discussions with PKR on seats, Chong replied: "No."

He said the state DAP was sticking to the agreement on seat allocation between the national leadership of the two parties.

"I hope PKR will honour the agreement and won't change every now and then. If not, the voters will have no trust in the parties," he said.

Despite the fallout with Tumek, PKR state chief Baru Bian said he was not announcing the party's candidates yet.

"There are still a few days left before nominations. We would like to avoid any overlapping of seats," he said.

In 2011, PKR fielded John Tenewi Nuek in a three-cornered fight with BN and SNAP. Datuk Peter Nansian retained the seat for BN with a 2,072 majoirty.