As seat negotiations between Parti Keadilan Rakyat (Keadilan) and DAP is on the brink of collapse, both parties look set to do battle in the PJ Utara and Ipoh Timur constituencies in the upcoming general election.

Following the recent disclosure that Keadilan intended to field candidates for the seats, two DAP leaders today vowed that their party will not back off.

DAP Selangor chairperson Ronnie Liu said the veteran opposition party will be doubling its efforts regarding publicity and services for the grassroots in both the constituencies.

"If Keadilan insists on contesting in these two areas, it will be the greatest disservice to the people (for) bringing disunity to the opposition.

"It is as good as giving victory to the BN by default," said Liu, who unsuccessfully contested the PJ Utara seat in the 1999 general election.

On whether the 'doubling' efforts would cause further damage to the stalled seat talks and create more fresh wounds, he said the matter will be left to the central committees of both sides to work out.

"Personally, I do not intend to take comments (on the stalled seat discussions) made by individuals from both sides seriously," he said referring to Keadilan vice-president Azmin Ali's (photo) call on DAP yesterday to meet certain conditions before Keadilan would even consider re-starting negotiations.

"These are personal views on the matter. Unless and until the party (formally) says so, I will not take such comments as Keadilan's position. Any negotiation takes time. It is important that both sides keep their cool," he added.

'Bad faith'

Meanwhile DAP Perak chief Ngeh Koo Ham and Ipoh Timur candidate said there was "no way" his party would accommodate Keadilan in the Ipoh Timur constituency.

"We do not see the rationale for Keadilan to target DAP's stronger seats. To say that DAP did not win the seat so it is up to Keadilan to grab is unfair as DAP only lost by a narrow margin - approximately 2, 000, or only two to three percent of votes.

"We can consider other constituencies in Perak but definitely not Ipoh Timur ... especially when it is asking the state chairperson to give up his seat," he said.

Ngeh also said Keadilan's announcement to field candidates in Ipoh Timur had irked DAP members in Perak.

Last Tuesday, Azmin named Keadilan vice-president Tian Chua and supreme council member Dr Lee Boon Chye as candidates for Petaling Utara and Ipoh Timur respectively.

"Our members got worked up (by the announcement), and some even wanted to issue statements on the matter, but we had asked them to refrain as we should not work against Keadilan," said Ngeh.

Nevertheless, he said that Keadilan's plan to challenge the traditional constituencies of two DAP state chairpersons looks as though it was calculated in 'bad faith'.

Rather than undermining each other's position by risking three-cornered fights, he said the paramount aim should be in strengthening opposition votes against BN.

Ngeh stressed that while DAP was doubling its efforts in preparation for the elections, this was not made in reaction to Keadilan's intention to field its own people but have been an ongoing exercise over the last six months.