Amidst reports of a troubled Sarawak Pakatan Rakyat, DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng maintains that Sarawak National Party (Snap) is on the same page as the rest of the coalition.

NONEWith the dissolution of the state assembly today and impending polls, Lim (right) said that Snap's political struggles are still very similar to Pakatan's.

"DAP wants to fight in the state elections with PAS, PKR and Snap.

"We don't believe in not cooperating with these parties and all, including Snap, believe in reducing BN's two-thirds majority.

“I'm sure this opinion is shared by all," he said in a press conference at the party headquarters in Kuala Lumpur this afternoon.

According to the front page report by Umno-linked New Straits Times, Pakatan is apparently on the brink of collapse with Snap threatening to abandon the coalition.

They had quoted party president Edwin Dundang, saying that the negotiations over the seat allocations between Snap and PKR had failed and the two parties would not cooperate in the coming state election.

Rift denied

However, PKR deputy president and elections director Azmin Ali has denied the intensity of the rift.

Snap has been particularly critical of PKR, accusing them of bullying tactics and a lack of respect towards them. PKR is claiming the lion's share of the Dayak-majority seats, which is Snap's traditional proving grounds.

Snap is the oldest political party in Sarawak, and had produced the state's first chief minister.

However, an internal party squabble almost caused its deregistration in 2002, and Snap only got its head above water last year after winning a long court battle with the Registrar of Societies.

The party had joined Pakatan last year but in recent weeks, its commitment towards the coalition has been unpredictable. 

Lim also said that the issue of the seat allocations would be discussed further. However, he played down any talk of a ‘deadlock' in negotiations.

"I wouldn't want to use the word ‘deadlock'. I just hope that both parties can work to reduce the two-thirds majority," he said.

When pressed further, he said: "Of course there is some overlapping. If not, then there is no need for further discussions.

"I hope that we can concentrate and work on the ground, together with Snap," he said.

Meanwhile, the party also launched their Sarawak elections mascot soft toy - a hornbill named ‘Ubah'.

They also launched their website and fundraising program.

The Sarawak state assembly was dissolved this morning. There are 71 seats in the assembly currently, with the opposition bloc holding seven seats.