Umno-friendly PAS won’t get support in Sarawak, says DAP

PAS will not get any support from Sarawakians in the upcoming state polls, Sarawak DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen said today. “It's now beyond all doubts that PAS is an ally to Umno. No sensible Sarawakian will support Umno or PAS,” he told The Malaysian Insider. “They are free to contest. Let the voters decide, but I don't think they can garner any support,” he said, commenting on PAS's intention to field candidates in seats contested by DAP. Sarawak PAS commissioner Jofri Jaraiee had said they would contest at least 11 seats during state polls next year, including those traditionally contested by DAP. He reportedly said it was the prerogative of Sarawak PAS to contest in DAP seats as it was not part of the new coalition Pakatan Harapan. Despite breaking off with DAP, PAS maintains cooperation with PKR. Sarawak PAS had said it was prepared to consult with PKR in accordance with a decision by the party's central committee to maintain political cooperation with PKR. The 11 seats PAS plans to contest are Beting Maro, Sebuyau, Sadong Jaya, Muara Tuang, Samariang, Jepak, Samalaju, Lambir, Senadin, Batu Kawa and Dudong. The party first entered Sarawak in 1996 and has been contesting elections since 2001. It has so far failed to win any seats at parliamentary or state level. Meanwhile, Chong said the state DAP had identified 35 candidates to contest in 15 urban seats and 20 rural seats in coming state election. He said the majority of its candidates were new faces, but declined to reveal their identities citing ongoing negotiations with PKR. – December 26, 2015.