The list of seven names announced by Sabah PKR should only be taken as "suggestions" as it is not final, PKR deputy president Azmin Ali said today.

"What was announced is a mere suggestion. We'll discuss the names at the political bureau," Azmin said.

NONE The discussions on candidates for several seats that have overlapping interests among the Pakatan Rakyat parties were still going on.

"We are meeting today and during this weekend... we will resolve it (the PKR list) this weekend," Azmin said.

He said this at a press conference at the PKR headquarters in Tropicana, Petaling Jaya, when asked about the seven parliamentary candidates announced today by Tuaran PKR chief Ansari Abdullah.

Ansari reportedly said that Sabah PKR took the initiative on this because PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim has promised the state autonomy in making decisions pertaining to Sabah.

Azmin also said Pakatan Rakyat has closed the doors to any negotiation with Sabah local opposition parties SAPP and Star.

He added that he would raise the matter of the Labuan seat with PAS secretary-general Mustafa Ali when they meet this afternoon.

Pakatan to discuss about PSM as well

The PKR number two earlier this week announced that PKR would contest Labuan, only to have PAS announce its own candidate for the seat today.

Further discussions would also take place among the Pakatan leadership on cooperation with PSM, particularly for the Kota Damansara seat, whose incumbent is PSM chairperson Nasir Hashim.

Meanwhile, Azmin, who will defend his curent Gombak seat, said PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim would announce where he would contest later today.

Asked about whether Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim would defend his Ijok state seat, Azmin said that "there are no change (for Ijok) so far".

Khalid is speculated to move to Port Klang because of alleged poor grassroots support in Ijok.

Azmin also confirmed that party president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail would not be contesting in this general election.

"I think she has a strong appeal (among) women and she has a bigger role to play to ensure PKR will participate with a formidable force," he said.

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