The Parti Keadilan Rakyat (Keadilan) supreme council has instructed its election machinery to start work for the upcoming general election and this includes constituencies that are being eyed by DAP as well.

Its vice-president Azmin Ali said the decision was made yesterday as the party wanted to prevent glitches in preparing for the polls, especially since its seat negotiations with Barisan Alternatif (BA) ally PAS was almost finalised.

"Our discussion on seat allocations with PAS is almost over as we only have to discuss for a couple of seats in Selangor and Perak and I believe that the problem will be resolved in our next meeting which is scheduled to take place after the Hari Raya Haji celebrations (on Monday)," he said when contacted.

With the success of its seat negotiations with PAS, Azmin said that to date Keadilan will contest in 36 parliamentary seats and 74 state seats in Penisular Malaysia.

In Sabah and Sarawak, the party will be vying for 14 parliamentary seats and 20 state seats.

"These seats do not include the disputed seats with opposition party DAP which is quite a number and the deadlock in our negotiations are worrying us as we do not want our election machinery there to be left far behind," he said.

Affected seats

He said the seats affected are in Perak and Penang and the Keadilan state chiefs there have expressed concerned over the matter.

"DAP has yet to make any positive response to our repeated requests to resume the seat negotiations and we feel that we cannot waste any more time as far as election preparations are concerned," said Azmin, who predicts that the election will be held in March.

"For that reason, we feel that the constituencies in Perak and Penang which have the potential to win must now start working at full speed," he added.

The parliamentary seats concerned in Perak are Ipoh Timur, Gopeng and Teluk Intan while the state seats are Pasir Pinji, Bercham, Jelapang and Teja.

In Penang, Azmin said the parliament seats involved are Batu Kawan, Jelutong, Bukit Gelugor while the state seats are Bagan Dalam, Machang Bubok, Bukit Tengah, Bukit Tambun, Pulau Tikus, Padang Kota, Komtar, Datuk Keramat, Sungai Pinang, Seri Delima and Ayer Itam.

However, the Keadilan leader stressed that the latest development does not mean that his party no longer wants to continue talks with DAP.

"We will be more than happy to discuss with DAP to decide who should be the best representative to run for the seats. If in the event that the discussion would result in a DAP candidate being chosen, our election machinery would have no problem in continuing its work.

"Of course, we have our differences but at the same time we also have common objectives and interests that can enable us to work together," he said.

Strategic decision

The negotiations hit a brick wall after DAP accused Keadilan of consistent media leaks on the discussion.

As for the disputed seats with PAS, Azmin said: "It is nothing to do with overlapping but more of a strategic decision."

"Both seats are strong potentials for both parties and both have proposed very senior and credible leaders. So it's a matter of making a tactical decision to ensure that the one chosen is accepted by the community from the constituencies involved," he added.

Meanwhile, PAS secretary general Nasharuddin Mat Isa said his party was satisfied with the development of the negotiations.

"There is no grave issues to discuss and I am confident that things will work our for the best," he added when contacted.