Parti Keadilan Rakyat advisor Anwar Ibrahim said the opposition Sarawak United Front (BBS) has identified and shortlisted candidates and constituencies for the upcoming general elections.

However, he said BBS has to further discuss with other opposition parties to ensure straight fights with the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition.

BBS is a coalition of three opposition parties in the state - PKR, Sarawak National Party (Snap) and Malaysian Dayak Congress (MDC). The other opposition parties which are not part of the front are DAP and the State Reform Party Sarawak (Star).

Asked on the possibility of BBS leaders jumping ship upon winning an election, Anwar said only candidates with high credibility would be selected.

"I think we have learned from experience and we have to be firm in selecting credible candidates, candidates who can deliver and are committed to the reform agenda.

"It can be in the name of other parties or whatever, but the principles must be clear," he said after visiting Kuching over the weekend.

PKR-DAP tussle

As for the tussle between DAP and PKR over Chinese-majority seats in Sarawak, Anwar said both parties should discuss their differences.

"Right now I am appealing to all parties to have the humility to accept the fact that the people want an united front.

"People don't want to see us have rude exchanges," he added.

Anwar said PKR and DAP have a good relationship and cited the April 12 Machap by-election in Malacca as an example.

He said PKR had agreed to allow DAP to contest the seat and even offered one of its offices to be turned into a DAP operations centre.

"That's why I think party leaders, including those in Sarawak, shouldn't be unwise and too crude in their reactions because they would only fall prey to the exploits of the BN media.

"We must have some humility and be able to work together. They help us, we help them. That should be the spirit," he added.