DAP has started laying the groundwork to contest eight state seats in Selangor, now held by former ally PAS, in the next general election, the state DAP chief Tony Pua said today.

"These are the eight seats that we believe we have significant influence in and will be able to win.

"The seats were chosen because we believe we can emerge victorious in the event of a three-cornered fight, in which case it doesn't jeopardise the ambitions of Pakatan Harapan to be the government in Selangor," Pua said at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

The eight seats are Taman Templer, Lembah Jaya, Paya Jeras, Sri Serdang, Meru, Cempaka, Dusun Tua and Tanjung Sepat.

However, Pua clarified that while DAP is ready to contest these seats, it is not confirmed that it actually will.

"Whether or not we will (contest the eight seats) is be discussed at the Selangor Pakatan Harapan meetings first.

"So it's subject to negotiations. But we will do all the necessary preparations to contest these eight seats, which are currently held by PAS assemblypersons," he said.

Snubbed invitation

DAP and PAS were part of the Pakatan Rakyat coalition, along with PKR, before the coalition fell apart in June in the wake of a bitter disagreement between DAP and PAS.

A new opposition coalition called Pakatan Harapan was formed on Sept 22, with PKR, DAP and Amanah, a splinter group from PAS.

Although PAS was invited to the roundtable meeting where the new coalition was formed, the party snubbed the invitation.