KUCHING: The likelihood of PKR, DAP and PAS fighting each other in Julau, Kota Samarahan and Mukah seats is very real now that after PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang has declared that his party’s candidates will contest in all three constituencies.
Disregarding ongoing discussion between the Pakatan Rakyat coalition partners on the overlapping claims, Hadi had on Sunday named PAS candidates Ambrose Labang Jamba for Julau and Abang Ahmad Kerdee Abang Massagus for Kota Samarahan.
He also named Nani Sahari for Mukah.
By jumping the gun PAS has riled its partners.
“Unless the issue is solved, it is very likely that PKR will fight PAS in Kota Samarahan and Julau, and DAP will fight PAS in Mukah,” said a political observer.
He said that PKR and DAP would not give way to PAS.
While Kota Samarahan is a mixed constituency of Malays, Ibans and Bidayuhs, Julau is made of almost 100 percent Iban voters.
Other candidates that Hadi named yesterday for Sarawak parliamentary seats were Robby @ Muhamad Zaid Tandang (Sibuti), Mohamad jolhi (Batang Sadong), Ajji Ajiji (Igan) and Jurina Mut (Tanjung Manis).
DAP had some time ago announced that its candidate for Mukah was Hai Merawin @ Bonaventure, a pensioner.
No concensus yet
Reacting to the PAS claims, state PKR chairman Baru Bian said: “I am very concerned by the statement by the PAS president that the seats of Kota Samarahan and Julau will be contested by PAS.
“I was informed by our deputy president Azmin Ali that these are among the seats for which negotiations between our national leaders have not been finalised.
“Therefore, what was announced is not the consensus between our national leaders and PAS,” said Bian, pointing out that Azmin had reassured the state PKR that Pakatan central would respect the sentiment and wishes of the people on the ground in all areas.
“In Kota Samarahan and Julau, our potential candidates have been working consistently and diligently for at least a year, and they have their structures and election machinery set up and ready.
“As far as I am aware, this is not the case with PAS candidates announced by Abdul Hadi Awang.
“The seat negotiations will be finalised within the next few days.
“I call for all our members and supporters to remain calm and focused on our aim, which is to bring about a change in government,” said Bian, who will be contesting in Limbang.
In announcing the PAS candidates, Hadi said that the list of the candidates had been “finalised” and had agreed to by DAP and PKR.
“We want to show that we have Iban and non-Muslims as our candidates,” he said when asked why PAS is contesting in the Iban majority seat of Julau.
PAS is not confined to Muslim candidates only, he added.
So far PKR has announced the names of its candidates for the 11 seats that it will contest.
The candidates are: Baru Bian (Limbang), Roland Engan (Baram), Joshua Jabeng (Selangau), Thomas Laja (Kanowit), Abun Sui Anyit (Hulu Rajang), Ali Biju (Saratok), Cecilia Siti Una (Betong), Nicholas Bawin (Lubok Antu), Zulrusdi Hol (Santubong), Ahmad Nazib Johari (Petra Jaya) and Abang Zulkifli Abang Engkeh (Batang Lupar).
DAP has also announced some its candidates. They are Dr Bob Baru (Lawas), Dr. John Anthony Brian (Bintulu), Lim Sui Kien (Miri), Oscar Ling (Sibu), Hai Merawin (Mukah), Ramli Malaka (Kapit), Alice Lau (Lanang), Edward Luak (Serian), and Andrew Wong (Sarikei).
