MIRI – DAP’s longest-serving Sarawak assemblyman has praised Pakatan Harapan for reaching an early deal on seat distribution for the impending 12th state election.
Chiew Ching Sing, who is the rep for Tg Batu (formerly Kidurong prior to delineation) for the sixth term, said that the swift agreement was a solid show of unity and intent by the opposition coalition in the vast state.
He said DAP, PKR and Amanah can now focus “totally” on choosing winnable candidates and firming up their campaign strategies.
Chiew said that resolving issues related to allocation of seats to be contested by each party is a crucial move.
“We in Sarawak PH managed to reach a deal on seat distribution without any major disagreements,” he told The Vibes.
“All the parties were willing to give and take in a very cordial and amicable manner throughout the negotiation process.
“This is a show of unity and purpose. It demonstrates our common goal of being totally united in taking on the ruling Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) in the state elections.”
Chiew added that local PH leaders are certain that GPS will call for dissolution of the state assembly by the end of March, if the Covid-19 pandemic is brought under control in the state by then.
On Saturday, the three components had confirmed their allocations for the 82 state constituencies in the upcoming polls.
PKR will contest in 47 state constituencies, DAP in 26 and Amanah in nine.
The seats for PKR are Opar, Tg Datu, Pantai Damai, Tupong, Satok, Batu Lintang, Asajaya, Serembu, Tarat, Tebedu, Sadong Jaya, Simunjan, Lingga, Beting Maro, Balai Ringin, Bukit Begunan, Engkilili, Batang Ai, Saribas, Layar, Bukit Saban, Kalaka, Krian, Daro, Pakan, Meluan, Ngemah, Machan, Nangka, Dalat, Tellian, Balingian, Tamin, Kakus, Katibas, Belaga, Murum, Jepak, Bekenu, Lambir, Marudi, Telang Usan, Mulu, Bukit Kota, Batu Danau, Ba’ Kelalan and Bukit Sari.
The 26 seats for DAP are Tasik Biru, Padungan, Pending, Kota Sentosa, Batu Kitang, Batu Kawah, Stakan, Mambong, Kedup, Bukit Semuja, Simanggang, Repok, Meradong, Bukit Assek, Dudong, Bawang Assan, Pelawan, Pelagus, Bukit Goram, Baleh, Tanjong Batu, Kemena, Samalaju, Piasau, Pujut and Senadin.
Amanah, meanwhile, will run in Demak Laut, Samariang, Muara Tuang, Gedong, Sebuyau, Kabong, Kuala Rajang, Semop and Jemoreng.
GPS, made up of Parti Pesaka Bumiputra Bersatu (PBB), the Sarawak United Peoples' Party (SUPP), Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), now controls 68 of the 82 seats in the state legislature.
The current term of the state assembly expires automatically on June 8 this year, if GPS does not call for state polls earlier.
The Election Commission will have 60 days from that date of automatic dissolution to fix the nomination and polling dates within that period.
Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Openg, who is also PBB president and GPS chairman, had last year said that GPS wanted to hold the state election before the end of 2020.
However, the Covid-19 situation did not allow that to take place as planned, he had said in Miri during an official function in early December.
Sarawak has seen 19 deaths and more than 1,100 positive Covid-19 cases so far. – The Vibes, January 4, 2021
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