Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali refused to answer a question on whether the DAP-PKR clashes had led to the defeat of the opposition in last Saturday’s Sarawak state election.

"I think we should not talk about the past," Azmin said when met after the state government monthly assembly in Shah Alam this morning.

"We should learn our lesson and move on," he added.

However, Azmin said, the opposition would discuss the cause of their defeat at the next Pakatan Harapan presidential council meeting.

"That will be discussed in the council, not publicly," he said.

Harapan must listen to the voices of Sarawakians, who had given a strong message in the state polls, he said.

"We must have the humility to sit down and talk. We must move on as a stronger opposition," he stressed.

No-win situation

PKR and DAP lost the six seats they contested against each other in the state election after negotiations broke down. The seats were Batu Kitang, Ngemah, Mulu, Murum, Mambong and Simanggang.

Azmin had authorised Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian to issue authorisation letters to its candidates to contest in five seats. This resulted in DAP retaliating by contesting in Batu Kitang.

PKR managed to defend all of its three seats - Be'kalalan, Batu Lintang and Krian, while DAP lost five seats out of 12. The seats they lost were Batu Kawah, Piasau, Dudong, Repok and Meradong.

Azmin also said the Harapan leadership would discuss at the meeting the suggestion that PKR assemblyperson Baru Bian be appointed as Sarawak opposition leader.

PKR vice-president Xavier Jayakumar had brought up the proposal in light of the winds of change blowing in the rural heartland, to show the opposition was committed to the struggle of the native bumiputera.

Azmin also took a jab at the Sarawak state government, which had barred him from entering the Borneo state, but had imitated Selangor's free bus policy.

Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem had pledged to provide free bus services in Kuching, Miri, Bintulu and Sibu.