Sarawak PKR, DAP, Amanah form election pact

(MMO) – Three Sarawak Opposition parties have reached an agreement to form Pakatan Harapan Sarawak (PHS) after negotiations on seat allocations.

“Basically, the agreement is that, in the coming general elections or GE14, State PKR and DAP will go for seats each contested in the 2013 elections, while Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) will go for seats contested by PAS,” Sarawak PKR, DAP and Amanah said in the statement read out by Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen at a press conference.

The press conference was also attended by state PKR chairman Baru Bian and his Amanah counterpart, Mohad Fidzuan Zaidi.

In the 2013 general elections, PKR contested in Santubong, Petrajaya, Bengoh (formerly Mambong), Batang Lupar, Sri Aman, Lubok Antu, Betong, Saratok, Julau, Kanowit, Selangau, Ulu Rejang, Baram, Limbang and Miri.

DAP contested in Mas Gading, Bandar Kuching, Stampin, Serian, Sarikei, Sibu, Lanang, Mukah, Kapit, Bintulu and Lawas, while PAS went for Kota Samarahan, Batang Sadong, Tanjong Manis, Igan and Sibuti.

PKR only won in Miri, DAP won in Bandar Kuching, Stampin, Sarikei, Sibu and Lanang, while PAS lost all the seats it contested.

Sarawak has 31 parliamentary seats.

According to Chong, the three parties have set up a secretariat with each party having two representatives.

“The secretariat will coordinate activities and cooperation among the PHS partners and will be responsible for drafting the coalition’s joint election manifesto for the GE14,” he said.

Chong described the 14th general elections as the most important in the history of Malaysian elections, which he said was to “save Malaysia and Malaysians” from the “economic disaster” caused by the Barisan Nasional government.

“Therefore, Malaysia and Malaysians cannot afford to give the Barisan Nasional another five years,” he said, adding that PHS would do its best to work together and to change the government.