PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang today named the party's candidates for seven constituencies in Sarawak, but three of the MP seats are also being claimed by Pakatan Rakyat partners DAP and PKR.

The candidates are Abang Ahmad Kerdee Abang Masagus, a lawyer (for Kota Samarahan); Robby @ Muhamad Zaid Tandang, PAS Youth leader (Sibuti); Mohamad Jolhi, a homeopathy practitioner and PAS director of election, Sarawak (Batang Sadong); Ajji Ajiji, a businessman (Igan); Ambrose Labang Jamba, editor of Buletin Kenyalang (Julau); Jurina Mut, a businesswoman (Tanjung Manis); and Nani Sahari, a businesswoman (Mukah).

NONE Meanwhile, PKR also claimed Julau and Kota Samarahan, while DAP has named Hai Merawin @ Bonaventure for Mukah.

Hadi said the list of candidates has been finalised and agreed to by DAP and PKR.

The decision was made in the past few days.

Hadi ( left ) said that the decision of the party to contest in Julau was to show that the party did not have  candidates for Muslim majority constituencies only, but also in non-Muslim constituencies.

Julau has about 90 percent Iban voters, the majority of whom are Christians.

"We want to show that we have Iban and non-Muslims as our candidates," he said.

PKR ‘shocked’

But PAS’ decision to contest in Kota Samarahan and Julau is set to clash with PKR Sarawak, which has firmly established its roots in the two constituencies.

Hudud forum Baru Bian Last month, more than 3,000 people in Kota Samarahan attended a PKR ceramah where party de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim spoke at length.

When asked about the PAS candidates announcement, Sarawak PKR chairperson Baru Bian ( right ) expressed shock and said that he has not been informed of the decision.

"I will find out from Kuala Lumpur. I am shocked that I have not been informed of the decision," Baru said.

He said he had directed Andy Wong, PKR's potential candidate for Julau to be on standby, pointing out that he might have to contest as an independent.

In Sibu, Sarawak DAP chairperson Wong Ho Leng refused to comment on the decision of PAS to contest in Mukah.

Wong had earlier named Hai Merawin as the DAP candidate for the parliamentary seat.

PKR and DAP still negotiating

Pakatan Rakyat has not finalised a number of Sarawak seats such as Mas Gading, Mambong, Sri Aman, Miri and Stampin as both PKR and DAP have staked their claims to these seats.

So far PKR has announced the names of its candidates for 11 seats that it will contest: Baru Bian (Limbang), Roland Engan (Baram), Joshua Jabeng (Selangau), Thomas Laja (Kanowit), Abun Sui Anyit (Hulu Rajang), Ali Biju (Saratok), Cecilia Siti Una (Betong), Nicholas Bawin (Lubok Antu), Zulrusdi Hol (Santubong), Ahmad Nazib Johari (Petra Jaya) and Abang Zulkifli Abang Engkeh (Batang Lupar).

chong chieng jen interview 141108 03 The DAP has named Bob Baru (Lawas), John Anthony Brian (Bintulu), Lim Sui Kien (Miri), Oscar Ling (Sibu),  Hai Merawin (Mukah), Ramli Malaka (Kapit) and Alice Lau (Lanang),  Edward Luak (Serian), and Andrew Wong (Sarikei).

DAP has yet to announce the candidates for Stampin and Bandar Kuching, but Sarawak DAP secretary Chong Chieng Jen ( left ) and Julian Tan are expected to contest the respective seats.

As for the overlapping claims for Mas Gading, Mambong and Sri Aman, Anwar Ibrahim said during his recent visit to Kuching that this would be resolved very soon.