GE13: The squabbles for seats in Pakatan Rakyat continues

Merotai is considered a 'hot seat' as both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat component parties are eyeing the seat.

TAWAU: The squabbles for seats in Pakatan Rakyat, the national opposition coalition, is now threatening to turn cannibalistic in Sabah with DAP warily eyeing PAS intentions in the east coast of the state.

With little to gain and everything to lose, the Pakatan parties are facing off over who gets to place their candidate in the Muslim majority Merotai constituency land held by the BN’s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP).

PAS hit a ‘sour’ note when its president Abdul Hadi Awang included the constituency in its corner while Sabah DAP claims the seat is still under negotiations between the coalition partners.

Hadi announced at a function held at PAS Kalabakan office at Taman Semarak that the Islamic party would put up contestants in two parliamentary seats and nine state seats in Sabah.

The parliamentary seats are  Batu Sapi and Kalabakan, while the state seats are Pitas, Tempasuk, Tanjung Aru, Sukau, Kunak, Bugaya, Tanjung Batu, Sebatik and Merotai.

Merotai is considered a ‘hot seat’ as both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Rakyat component parties are eyeing the seat considered a toss-up with the voters divided and moods likely to swing at the 11th hour.

Sabah DAP chairman Jimmy Wong, who was present when the PAS candidates were announced, said he was caught by surprise that Merotai was mentioned.

“The seat negotiations among Pakatan Rakyat has yet to be finalised and the Merotai state seat has already been conceded to DAP if LDP is defending the seat on behalf of BN,” he said.

Wong said this was a good strategic arrangement to consolidate all coalition members in order to deliver Kalabakan parliamentary constituency for the sake of taking over Putrajaya.

“I am a member of seat negotiations on Sabah matters and the decision of Merotai given to DAP had been minuted. Each party should not announce their own candidates in any constituencies unilaterally,” he said.

Due to the awkward position on the Merotai seat, he urged the Pakatan presidential council to oversee the Sabah seat negotiations and ensure component parties ensure any decision made is not altered.

Azman Habu