DAP secretary-general Kerk Kim Hock said today he would give Parti Keadilan Rakyat (Keadilan) president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail more time to investigate the "persistent-leak" allegations arising from the negotiation on seats between the two parties.

"Since she (Wan Azizah) said she wants to investigate, we will give her the time to conduct a thorough investigation. We can wait," he told reporters after launching a party's function in Petaling Jaya.

Kerk denied that both parties are now in a deadlock for reconciliation as "DAP is keen to continue negotiations if Keadilan is willing to address our concerns".

He clarified that DAP has not set any conditions to resume the talks in the letter sent to Wan Azizah.

"I've only asked her to address DAP's concerns on the matter and that remains a key factor to continue the talks," he said.

Kerk has yet to receive a written reply from the Keadilan president.

'Reply with facts'

Yesterday, Wan Azizah said it was up to DAP - who announced the suspension of the seats talks - to decide whether to resume the negotiations, adding that she would investigate the allegations made by DAP against her party leaders.

Kerk also urged Keadilan to "reply with facts" on his claims of "persistent leak" if they felt there was no truth in it.

He then showed reporters news reports published in malaysiakini pertaining to the negotiations.

"All the evidences are here. It was not an isolated incident that led to our decision to suspend the talks. We also have reasons to believe that this unhealthy practice was also witnessed during the last few by-elections," he said.

Kerk was referring to the Teluk Kemang and Lunas by-elections where he claimed Keadilan had influenced the outcome of negotiations by orchestrating misleading public statements calculated to tarnish DAP's image and weaken its position.

"No party in the world will whack their political ally," he added.

Going solo

On Keadilan's counter claim that DAP leaders had also made statements regarding the seats talks, Kerk said they were merely responding to comments made by Keadilan leaders.

"We've never leaked out any details on the negotiations. Have you ever heard Kerk Kim Hock mention anything about the negotiations? I've told the press that I abide by the gag order, this is a mature way to respond," he stressed.

On Penang DAP chief Chow Kon Yeow's announcement on July 15 that the party was prepared to contest in eight parliamentary and 20 state seats on Penang Island, Kerk said DAP did not announce the names of candidates though.

"Yes, we have named Lim Kit Siang and Karpal Singh (party's chairperson and his deputy) as our candidates when the press asked us, but we never say which seat they are going to contest," he said.

The DAP leader declined to comment on the move by Keadilan to name two candidates on Tuesday, but added that his party may be forced to contest the next general election on its own if it is "left with no choice".