PKR wants 2 state seats for DAP getting Sibu
Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim gave the assurance that the Sibu parliamentary seat will be contested by the DAP, but a Sarawak PKR leader wants two state seats within the constituency in exchange for the coming state polls.
Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim gave the assurance that the Sibu parliamentary seat will be contested by the DAP, but a Sarawak PKR leader wants two state seats within the constituency in exchange for the coming state polls.
George Chen, who is the assistant treasurer of Sarawak PKR, said this has to be done in the Pakatan Rakyat spirit.
He said the issue has to be resolved quickly for Pakatan to make any headway in Sarawak.
"Out of the Pakatan spirit we respect the decision made by our leaders to allow DAP to contest in Sibu.
"As DAP will concentrate on the Chinese urban areas, PKR will concentrate our efforts in the Dayak majority area of Bawang Assan and the Malay-majority area of Pelawan."
"We will push hard to secure the Iban and the Malays support for the DAP. We will go all out to ensure a Pakatan win," Chen said.
Sarawak PKR chief, Baru Bian (left) had said on Monday that Pakatan would ensure a straight fight in the Sibu by-election.
The last general election saw a three-way contest among BN, DAP and PKR.
Chen stressed that as a reciprocating factor and acting in the Pakatan spirit, the Sarawak DAP should give something in return by allowing them to contest in Bawang Assan and Pelawan.
He hopes DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng, Anwar along with PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang, would address the issue.
"While Pakatan has remained strong as an opposition coalition in the peninsular, the same cannot be said in Sarawak.
"That is why I hope federal Pakatan leaders would use the Sibu by-election as a starting point," Chen, who is Sibu PKR chief said.
"We have to truly come to accept the concept of Pakatan Rakyat in Sarawak. This would help strengthen the opposition here and make sure that Pakatan can make its way to Putrajaya," he said.
Chen, said this would help in creating a "win-win-win" situation.
"If PKR wins and DAP wins, the rakyat will also win in seeing a stronger opposition. If we are wise enough, and able to work together we may form the next state government," he said.
Need to move campaign
On the Sibu campaign front, Chen said there is a need to get all DAP and PKR party machinery moving quickly.
He said BN and SAPP had indicated Robert Lau Jr, a councillor and lawyer by profession as its candidate.
Robert Lau Hui Yew (right), is the youngest son of local businessman Lau Swee Nguong, the chairman of the KTS Group of companies.
Chen said BN and SAPP have already moved into action following the death of Lau Sr.
As the Election Commission had announced March 8 as nomination day with polling set for May 16, Chen said there is a need for the DAP to finalise its candidates so the opposition party machinery must also start working.
"We should not drag our feet too long. Resolve the candidate quickly, name the person and get the party machinery going.
"BN is already moving and we are still struggling even for transport. The federal and state opposition leaders also need to address the constituency problems to further gel the opposition in preparation for the coming state elections.
"If we work hard together as one, we can try and put a dent on BN towards retaining Sibu or reduce its majority," he said.
Chen urged all Sarawak DAP and PKR leaders to work together and be wise enough.
"The Sibu contest could be a starting point for us within the opposition to work together," he said.
