Opposition allies PKR and DAP have kicked off the anticipated negotiations over distribution of seats for the coming general elections, but details will be closely guarded for now.

After a meeting of their top leaders yesterday, both parties said "strict confidentiality" will be observed this time and that a gag order has since been imposed.

A four-paragraph statement issued today by DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng and PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail stated that any public announcement will only be made jointly after consensus is reached.

"Apart from (PKR de facto leader) Anwar Ibrahim and both of us, a directive will be issued to all leaders from both parties to refrain from discussing publicly or making announcement on this matter," they said..

"We appreciate the interest shown by the media and hope that they will wait for the final outcome of the talks."

No time frame was stated as to when the talks might be concluded.

In the run-up to the last general elections in 2004, the PKR-DAP seat talks was once suspended after complaints of persistent 'leaking' of details to the media.

The talks resumed, but negotiations collapsed at the eleventh-hour in some seats, resulted in both parties fielding candidates in some constituencies against ruling Barisan Nasional (BN).

'Serious about consensus'

Lim, when contacted, merely said the closed-door meeting held at Anwar's office in Petaling Jaya yesterday was "cordial and very friendly".

He also said some "ground rules" were set but declined to elaborate.

Wan Azizah explained that the decision to keep details confidential was "for the benefit of both parties".

Asked about consequences should there be a breach of the gag order, she said the parties have not discussed this.

The statement said negotiation teams from both parties will meet next Wednesday and Thursday for a detailed discussion.

"We are optimistic that both parties are serious about reaching a consensus on seats and ensuring that the opposition will present a one-on-one contest with the BN in the forthcoming general elections," Lim and Wan Azizah added.

The PKR team will be headed by vice-president Dr Lee Boon Chye and will consist of secretary-general Khalid Ibrahim, another vice-president R Sivarasa and supreme council member Dr Mansor Othman

The DAP has formed two teams led by national organising secretary Tan Kok Wai and publicity chief Teresa Kok respectively.

It is believed that there will be an increase in overlapping seats between PKR and DAP as both parties are eyeing more seats this time around.

PKR has said it has identified 20-25 parliamentary seats in which they have an interest with DAP and PAS.

DAP has reportedly said it is eyeing 54 parliamentary and 115 state seats, while PKR is reportedly targeting 60 parliamentary and 120 state seats.