Visiting PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim today had what can be described as an ice-breaking meeting with Sarawak DAP top leaders to open negotiations on the distribution of seats in the next state elections.

State DAP chief Wong Ho Leng who is also Bukit Assek state assemblyperson told Malaysiakini that the 30-minute meeting this afternoon in Kuching was attended by three state DAP leaders - party veteran and first Sarawak DAP chair Chong Siew Chiang, Kidurong state assemblyperson Chiew Chin Sing and himself - and only Anwar, the Permatang Pauh MP and Sarawak PKR liaison chief.

He described the meeting as an ice-breaking one which was cordial and fruitful.

The three DAP leaders are members of the party's state negotiation team.

Wong also said that the Sarawak DAP will only talk to Anwar on the issue of seat distribution.

anwar ibrahim permatang pauh by election 030209 02 The meeting was said to be exploratory and did not go into details.

The Borneo Post today reported that DAP is likely to contest in several bumiputera seats, apart from the majority of Chinese or urban seats.

Bintulu dinner tonight

Presently, the party has six state assembly seats - all Chinese-majority, mostly in Kuching. Recently, it has been actively building up grassroots support in rural areas and has also set up a number of branches in those areas, including in Sri Aman.

Anwar flew in at noon from Kuala Lumpur to Kuching on his way to Bintulu to address a public assembly at a venue 11km from Bintulu town.

About 4,000 people are expected to attend.

He also chaired his first state PKR liaison committee meeting this afternoon in Kuching.

Among those who attended were the state assemblyperson for Padungan Dominique Ng and state party advisor Hafsah Harun.

The other PKR state assemblyperson for Ngemah Gabriel Adit is in Bintulu making preparations for the function tonight.

Anwar told reporters after the meeting with DAP leaders that the BN especially Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud's Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu is worried about the groundswell support for the opposition party particularly in Bidayuh areas in Bau and Lundu and is pouring in a lot of money for development there.

But he said he was confident the people would not be swayed by such offers and promises.