The proposed merger between the DAP and the Sarawak National Party (Snap) is still at the primary discussion stage, DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang said today.

NONE He said the merger would be in the interest of the present opposition pact and was no threat to any party in the grouping.

"The Sarawak DAP leadership is still exploring the idea of merger. It (the discussion) will be discontinued if the Snap leadership is against it (the merger)," he told a press conference in Sibu after the DAP post-mortem of the April 16 state election.

According to Lim ( right ), the DAP had won 12 seats in the election not because of the Chinese support alone,

He said the party would have had difficulty winning constituencies such as Batu Kawah, Meradong, Kidurong, Kota Sentosa,Repok, Piasau and Dudong without the support of bumiputras.

DAP state chairman Wong Ho Leng said the DAP, PKR and PAS would meet on May 1 in Kuching to discuss the proposed merger. *

'Keep discussion in house'

Meanwhile PKR advisor Anwar Ibrahim said PKR will only discuss matters pertaining to parliamentary seat allocations among the opposition pact in Sarawak, in preparation for the next general election, at a forum next week.    

In this regard, Anwar said DAP should air its views on the matter at an appropriate forum rather than opting to make demands which may offend other members of the pact outside such a forum.    

He told reporters this after attending a gathering with Sarawak PKR leaders in Kuching today.

Meanwhile, Sarawak PKR liaison chief Baru Bian said DAP, which won 12 seats in the recent Sarawak election, would get to lead the opposition in the next state assembly.    

- Bernama

* Wong has clarified that he had been wrongly reported by Bernama. The said meeting on May 1 will not be between Pakatan leaders to discuss the proposed merger, but will be merely a discussion between state PKR, DAP and PAS leaders to discuss the matter of a shadow cabinet.