Parti Keadilan Rakyat (Keadilan) vice-president Tian Chua claimed that Barisan Alternatif will form the government in Kedah in the general election, due by November.

In a statement, he said Keadilan has started its election machinery to lobby for votes in the state, to "create an atmosphere of ruling ...Kedah".

"We will go all out to take over the Kedah government. BA is hopeful of ruling the state (and adding to), Kelantan and Terengganu," he said.

PAS, which is Keadilan's ally in BA, has ruled Kelantan and Terengganu since the 1990 and 1999 general election respectively.

In the 1999 outing, ruling coalition Barisan Nasional (BN) lost eight parliamentary and 12 state seats in Kedah, all of which were won by PAS. The state has 15 parliamentary and 36 state seats.

Crucial decision

Chua's projection was made during Keadilan's national election workshop held at the party headquarters in Shah Alam on Sunday for 70 leaders.

Participants agreed to intensify publicity for the party's objectives, which include support for a moderate and multi-racial approach in its work.

"Voters need to make a crucial choice...they should not just see short-term advantages in making a decision," Chua said.

Keadilan will also assist former BA ally DAP during the campaign period.

"We will show greatest sincerity to DAP to resume negotiations over the seat allocation. This is to ensure a straight fight with BN candidates," Chua said.

The Star

quoted him yesterday as saying that leaders of the two parties have resumed talks and had met privately recently, but did not reveal details.

The talks was suspended five months ago after DAP claimed Keadilan was persistently leaking details of the negotiations, which the latter denied.