In view of the strong speculation that Sarawak Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud will dissolve the state assembly next Monday, earlier than previously expected, to pave the way for state elections, Sarawak Pakatan Rakyat is all geared up to give BN a strong fight.

Today several major dailies and news portals reported that Taib is likely to dissolve the state assembly next Monday after he met Sarawak governor Abang Mohammad Salahuddin Abang Barieng yesterday.

Some quarters were of the view that the earlier-than-expected dissolution would catch Pakatan by surprise.

However PKR and DAP announced that they have entered ‘battle mode’ and are completely unaffected by the possible earlier dissolution.

chong chieng jen interview 141108 03 “We are ready for battle any time, said Sarawak DAP secretary Chong Chieng Jen ( left ).

The Kota Sentosa assemblyperson and Bandar Kuching MP revealed that the party has drafted their campaign theme, posters, banners, leaflets and other campaign materials.

“We have no problem. The draft and content of the campaign material are ready,” he told Malaysiakini today when contacted.

The Kuching DAP branch has been recruiting campaign volunteers since last month, and Chong said the Kuching campaign team will consist of 100 to 200 personnel, not including polling agents.

Several party workers from the Kuala Lumpur headquarters have also been stationed at the Kuching branch to assist with the preparations.

Seat negotiations yet to be resolved

Meanwhile, Sarawak PKR election director Nicholas Bawin said the party is better prepared this time compared with the 2006 state elections and the 2008 parliamentary election.

“Our branches leaders have been talking to the community and the people, creating awareness on the ground. We are better than at any time in the past,” he told Malaysiakini during a phone interview today.

nicholas bawin pkr candidate for batang ai state seat 270209 Bawin ( right ) said that the campaign messages and publicity material have been drafted but they are subject to the seat negotiations between PKR, DAP, PAS and Snap, which are yet to be resolved.

The negotiation between PKR and Snap over Dayak-majority seats will continue tomorrow, he added.

A joint Sarawak Pakatan manifesto is possible only if all four Sarawak Pakatan component parties manage to sort out the seats allocation.

“PKR is prepared in all Dayak areas. Whatever decision (reached in the seat negotiations), our move to challenge BN will not be deterred,” he stressed.

Last Friday Snap had announced 16 names for a corresponding number of seats. They have been moving on the ground to prepare for the state polls.