CANDIDATES ANNOUNCED: Abdul Hadi (left) speaking to reporters when announcing PAS’ candidates for Sarawak yesterday. — Bernama photo
Sarawak PKR and DAP in a huff over release of candidates list by PAS before overlapping claims resolved
KOTA SAMARAHAN: The announcement of candidates for seven parliamentary seats in the state for the general election by PAS yesterday has riled its fellow Pakatan Rakyat parties, PKR and DAP.
This is because three of the seats in the list announced by party president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang are claimed by PKR and DAP and according to both parties this overlapping claim had not been resolved yet.
The PAS candidates are Abang Ahmad Kerdee Abang Masagus (Kota Samarahan), Ambrose Labang Jamba (Julau), Robby @ Muhammad Zaid Tandang (Sibuti), Mohamad Jolhi (Batang Sadong), Ajji Ajiji (Igan), Jurina Mut (Tanjung Manis) and Nani Sahari (Mukah).
State PKR chairman Baru Bian expressed his shock over Hadi’s announcement as his party are also eyeing Kota Samarahan and Julau.
He said he was informed by PKR deputy president Azmin Ali yesterday morning that the negotiation for the two seats had not been finalised.
“Therefore, what was announced is not the consensus among our national leaders and PAS,” said the Ba’Kelalan assemblyman.
“Our national leaders had confirmed and reassured us that they would respect the sentiments and wishes of the people on the ground in all areas.”
Baru, who will be contesting in Limbang, stressed that PKR’s potential candidates for the two seats had been working consistently and diligently for at least a year, and, “they have their structures and election machinery set up and ready”.
“The seat negotiations will be finalised within the next few days. I call upon all our members and supporters to remain calm and be focused on our aim, which is to bring about a change in government.”
Dr Ramblan Rahmat and Andy Wong had been identified as the potential candidates for PKR in Kota Samarahan and Julau respectively.
PKR de-facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, in a news conference in Kuching on Friday, said the party would only announce its candidates for all overlapping seats after the negotiations were completed.
Meanwhile, an online news portal reported that state DAP chairman Wong Ho Leng refused to comment on the decision by PAS to contest in Mukah.
DAP had earlier named a government pensioner Hai Merawin as its candidate for the predominantly Melanau constituency. Based on previous news reports, PKR is eyeing 16 of the 31 parliamentary seats in the state while the DAP 14.
However, at the press conference held at PAS Kota Samarahan operation centre here, Abdul Hadi Awang said the candidates’ list was finalised after reaching a consensus with PKR and the DAP.
“These are the seven seats we will contest in Sarawak in the GE13. The candidates’ list has been agreed by the central leaderships among Pakatan members.”
When asked about the overlapping seats, Abdul Hadi replied: “There are no longer overlapping seats. This is final. We hope the state leadership will respect the decision made at the central level.”
He said the final decision was made a few days ago at a meeting which was attended by the central leadership of Pakatan.
Ambrose would create history as the first non-Muslim Iban to contest on a PAS ticket. He was chosen because Julau is a predominantly Iban constituency.
Robby is also an Iban, but has already converted to Islam.- theborneopost
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