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Harapan supporters 'confused' over DAP-PKR clash

S’WAK POLLS Confusion among voters is one of the consequence of clashes between DAP and PKR as they prepare to go to the polls tomorrow.

Malaysiakini’s recent visit to the Ngemah constituency in Sibu revealed that the two Pakatan Harapan parties have not been engaging in an all-out “poster war” with each other.

In fact, Malaysiakini was also informed that the two parties have largely been “ignoring” each other, and only focusing on BN opponents.

Aside from Ngemah, DAP and PKR are also clashing in five other seats – Batu Kitang, Mulu, Murum, Simanggang and Mambong.

In the 2011 state polls, BN candidate Alexander Vincent had won the seat with a 998-majority votes against four others from PKR, Parti Cinta Malaysia, Sarawak National Party (SNAP) and an Independent.

On polling day tomorrow, Alexander will be defending his seat against DAP’s Richard Lias, Thomas Laja Besi (PKR) and Dr Joseph Jawa Kendawang (Independent).

The Ngemah constituency falls under the Kanowit parliamentary district and has a total of 8,889 registered voters, with an overwhelming 92 percent bumiputera majority, Chinese (seven per cent) and Malay-Melanau (one per cent).

A local resident from Nganga Tada, 46-year-old Benjamin Awan, said that changes must be done under a democratic system if elected leaders failed to carry out their duties.

He said the clash between PKR and DAP was clearly confusing the people who were unsure of their choices among the opposition candidates.

“There must be a change because we are living in a democratic sytem. If they (Pakatan Harapan) do something wrong, later we will change (them) again. We are not enemies (of BN) but this is the Malaysian way.

“But what is happening between DAP and PKR is confusing. Really confusing. Maybe it is different in the peninsular where there are places where PKR can go in (and contest) and DAP can’t. This should be the way in Sarawak as well,” said Benjamin (photo) who also described the situation as being illogical.

For Elvis Saliau, 48, he is still undecided between the two Pakatan Harapan candidates, despite having a desire for change due to unresolved local issues and burdens from the goods and services tax.

“It is confusing. I am not sure why these two parties are contesting (against each other).

“But I still feel that we need to give a chance to a new leader because in the last five years, our problems have remained largely the same (unresolved),” said Elvis.

Austin Undi (photo), 48, shared similar concerns over the clash between PKR and DAP, as well as the rising costs of living.

“I don’t know why but I think it is not proper (for the two parties to clash). It is difficult to say when it comes to things like this. I don’t know who to choose.

“We are people from rural areas. Sometimes traders charge more than the actual GST rate. Now even fertilisers are expensive. Some people say we don’t know about GST but we do because the price of everything is increasing.

“If possible, we want to try and change,” he said.

BN has so far won two seats uncontested, leaving 80 out of 82 seats in the Sarawak state legislative assembly to be decided on polling day tomorrow.

Pakatan Harapan has previously said it would only deal with issues surrounding the seat clashes after polling is over.

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