S'wak Harapan reaches deal to avoid repeat of 2016 clash, open to talks with PSB
Sarawak Pakatan Harapan has rung in the new year with consensus between component parties on seat allocations for the upcoming Sarawak state election.
Despite having distributed all 82 seats, they said they were open to collaborating with other opposition parties for as long as they were “credible and genuine”.
Sarawak Pakatan Harapan has rung in the new year with consensus between component parties on seat allocations for the upcoming Sarawak state election.
Despite having distributed all 82 seats, they said they were open to collaborating with other opposition parties for as long as they were “credible and genuine”.
No date has been announced for the election, but the state government’s current term expires on June 6. This means the election must be held latest by Aug 2021.
In a press conference in Kuching this morning, all three party chiefs - Larry Sng (PKR), Chong Chieng Jeng (DAP) and Abang Halil Abang Nalli (Amanah) - signed a document listing the seat allocations.
“I think this is a good start for the new year.
“A new year (with) a new start. This is the first time we can come to this agreement way before the dissolution (of the state assembly) or even the nomination,” Chong said.
Sng hoped the deal would prevent any last-minute “confusion and unhappiness”, especially among the grassroots. Abang Halil, meanwhile, said he was content with the share of seats his party received.
The event was streamed live on Facebook.
The list shows no clashes between the three parties - with PKR contesting the lion’s share with 47 seats, DAP contesting 26 and Amanah contesting nine seats.
During the 2016 state election, PKR and DAP clashed in six seats despite being allies. The seats were Batu Kitang, Mulu, Murum, Simaggang, Ngemah and Mambong.
Chong dismissed the possibility of history repeating itself.
“That is history already [...]
“(The list) is quite clear and we are very transparent about who to contest what seat,” he said when asked about whether these clashes had been resolved today.
The present agreement sees the six seats split evenly between the two parties with DAP contesting Batu Kitang, Mambong and Simanggang while PKR will contest Mulu, Murum and Ngemah.
PKR will also contest Ba’Kelalan. The seat is presently held by Baru Bian - who quit the party last year to join Parti Sarawak Bersatu (PSB).
Asked if Harapan was open to allying with PSB against incumbent Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) government, Chong said there was “always room” for certain collaborations.
“We will cooperate with any credible and genuine opposition so as to increase the chances of changing the government.
“But the criteria that we emphasise is (they must be a) credible and genuine opposition,” he answered, not mentioning PSB.
With all available seats already allocated, teaming up with parties such as PSB could result in clashes with Harapan parties.
Chong - who is the state Harapan chief - previously told Malaysiakini that he had been in ongoing talks with PSB over the past few months
PSB is currently led by six-term Bawang Assan assemblyperson Wong Soon Koh. The seat has been given to DAP under the latest Harapan agreement.
Wong previously held two portfolios in the GPS cabinet but quit after accusing the coalition of becoming hostile towards his party.
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