S'WAK POLLS PKR has expressed regret that it had allowed BN to win one seat uncontested, while another of its candidate was disqualified on nomination day for the Sarawak state election.

Apologising for this, election operations director Ismail Yusop said the candidate for Bukit Sari, Alex Lihan, did not turn up at the nomination centre this morning.

“No reason or explanation was given. We are extremely disappointed at this last-minute change, and will bring this matter to the attention of the disciplinary committee,” he added.

Whereas the nomination for the Pantai Damai seat was nullified because the PKR candidate Morni Samsudin was bankrupt.

Ismail said the candidate was a guarantor of a loan.

He added that the party would review all relevant processes to identify weakness in the current candidacy process.

For the Pantai Damai seat, BN would face a candidate from PAS.

“We sincerely apologise to all PKR supporters on this problem by the PKR Sarawak election committee,” said Ismail.

The opposition’s campaign in the state elections has also seen PKR and DAP, who are members of the Pakatan Harapan coalition, locking horns in six seats.

The seats are Mulu, Batu Kitang, Mambong, Ngemah, Simanggang and Murum.

Both parties have blamed each other for the situation, while their rivals claim the lack of consensus prove the opposition would be unable to form a strong state government.