Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian today announced 35 candidates from the party who will contest in the May 7 state election.

The party is still in discussion on whether to contest an additional five seats, Baru told reporters in Kuching today.

When asked if it would entail clashes with its Pakatan Harapan coalition partners DAP and Amanah, he declined to confirm, saying the list would be finalised before nomination day.

DAP, which finalised its list of 29 candidates yesterday, had said it would adhere to the consensus reached with PKR's national leadership last week.

Baru said overlaps were “normal in politics”, but expressed confidence that Harapan would be able to solve the matter.

"There is always bound to be this kind of overlapping of seats. (We) leave that to the leaders of PKR... to negotiate. We will resolve it," he said.

When asked why PKR is pushing ahead, despite the potential clash with its allies in five seats, Baru said they based it on response from the grassroots.

"All seats are important to us. We have a key performance indicator system. And based on that system, we get reports from the ground. That's why we are pursuing the matter," he said.

Today's announcement includes 23 new faces, five women candidates, and according to Baru, a group that come from diverse backgrounds.

“We have multi-racial, multi-religious candidates, but also we have various people from many professions," he said.

Baru pointed out that PKR candidates have traditionally been contesting in rural seats long dominated by BN.

“PKR has been standing in rural seats. I hope you all appreciate the fact that rural Sarawak has been a very strong Barisan Nasional stronghold in the last 52 years. I hope you all appreciate the fact that we have candidates that are capable that have been working for the last few years,” he elaborated.

He said the party remained optimistic but admitted the odds are stacked against them.

"Anything can happen in politics. You could be really winning today; tomorrow things can change. We know that in Sarawak, especially when money is being poured in the final two days (before polling), then you are done. In a level (playing) political field, we would have been able to perform much, much better.

Asked on other challenges faced by PKR, Baru singled out the rural folks’ access to information, which he said have come from government sources.

"The problem is this: The rural people of Sarawak face difficulty in getting information. And as you all know, the only way to disseminate news is through RTM , TV1, TV2, TV3 and Radio Malaysia .

"It is a tough time for us. The mindset of the last 50 years is PBB is the government and the government is PBB. And PRS is the government, et cetera.

"That is the mindset which we have to change. It is tough. That's why have to acknowledge the commitment and the perseverance of the candidates that we have chosen," Baru said.

The candidates announced today are:

N01. Opar - Francis Teron Kadap Noyet

N03. Tanjung Datu - Jazolkipli Numan

N04. Pantai Damai - Morni Samsudin

N06. Tupong - Nurhanim Mokhsen

N08. Satok - Mohamed Salleh Shawkatali

N11. Batu Lintang - See Chee How

N13. Batu Kitang - Voon Shiak Ni

N15. Asajaya - Abang Junaidi Abang Gom

N18. Serembu - Athina Klaywa Sim

N20. Tarat - Musa Ngog

N21. Tebedu - Alex Saben Nipong

N25. Simunjan - Jamilah Baharuddin

N28. Lingga - Abang Zulkifli Abang Engkeh

N30. Balai Ringin - Nicholas Mujah Ason

N31. Bukit Begunan - Jubri Atak

N33. Engkilili - Nicholas Bawin

N34. Batang Ai - Kolien Liong

N35. Saribas - Yakup Daud

N36. Layar - Vernon Albert Kedit

N37. Bukit Saban - Noel Changgai Bucking

N38. Kalaka - Jemat Panjang

N39. Krian - Ali Biju

N48. Meluan - Semana Sawang

N50. Machan - Chen Nguk Fa

N55. Nangka - Abdul Raafidin Majidi

N57. Belaga - Alex Lihan

N59. Tamin - Simon Joseph

N60. Kakus - Joshua Jabing

N67. Jepak - Abdul Jalil Bujang

N71. Bekenu - Bill Kayong

N72. Lambir - Mohdak Ismail

N76. Marudi - Elia Bit

N77. Telang Usan - Roland Engan

N81. Ba'Kelalan - Baru Bian

N82. Bukit Sari - Jamal Brahim