Sarawak STAR wants to contest in Mas Gading and Mambong but Pakatan Rakyat is afraid that allowing STAR to do so would mean handing BN a victory.
KUCHING: The opposition pact in Sarawak is wary about the State Reform Party’s (STAR) political allegiance and is demanding that it declares its stand before the 13th general election.Claiming the people want a two-party system, Sarawak DAP said STAR must state whether it is pro-Barisan Nasional or Pakatan Rakyat supporter.
“It is a valid question not only by DAP or PKR but also by the rakyat,” said Chong Chieng Jen, the party’s state secretary.
Chong, who is also Kota Sentosa assemblyman, was commenting on a statement by STAR vice-president Patrick Anek Uren.
Anek had hit out at the two parties (DAP and PKR) for suspecting that STAR would let BN win hands down in Mas Gading and Mambong parliamentary constituencies if it were to contest in the two constituencies.
Earlier, Anek demanded that DAP and PKR stay out of the constituencies and allow STAR to contest in Mas Gading and Mambong.
He said Chong’s statement was in bad tatste and showed that DAP was condescending.
“Such a stand – that only DAP can mount any challenge in Mas Gading and no one else – is downright arrogance,” Anek said.
Don’t deceive voters
In response, Chong said: “I think there is no element of arrogance when we question on which side STAR is aligned to – whether it is pro-BN or pro-Pakatan.”
“The people want to see a two-party system taking shape and grow strong to protect the rakyat’s interests and at the same time curb corruption.”
He said any party contesting in the general election should make its stand clear and not deceive the voters.
“We call parties which are either here or there amphibians – they live on land or in water.
“People don’t want fence-sitters. It is not good for the political development of the country.
“You have to convince the people either you are with BN or Pakatan,” he said.
Chong said people should not vote for any party that chooses to “skirt the issue”.
“All the more worrying if the party contests in Mas Gading and Mambong against BN because in the end, it may withdraw at the last minute and let BN win unopposed.
“Or even if its candidates win, they may join BN. So we want to know whether they [STAR] are talking about joining BN or just to win the seats in order to use it as a bargaining chip to join BN.
“The people’s votes should not be converted into bargaining chips,” he added
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