One more candidate makes 28 for PKR in Sarawak polls

 

Anwar Ibrahim says PKR needs to focus on areas where they have party machinery and strength.

KUCHING: PKR has named another candidate to contest in the upcoming Sarawak state elections bringing the total number of candidates to 28.

PKR president Anwar Ibrahim said Hapeni Fadil would be contesting in the Simunjan state constituency following requests from the constituents as well as local non-governmental bodies.

“As of now, I don’t know if there will be more candidates in the future. I have no information. Indeed, many want to contest,” he said in a press conference at the Sarawak PKR headquarters here last night.

He said PKR was committed to the Pakatan Harapan (PH) principle to ensure no overlapping of candidates among its component parties in the Sarawak polls.

“We need to focus on areas that have party machinery and strength. Does this mean we are paving the way for GPS to win? No. We don’t want to hog areas where we don’t have enough strength,” he said.

PKR had earlier yesterday announced the names of 27 candidates who will represent the party in the state elections that is taking place on Dec 18.

Among those in the list are Sarawak PKR Leadership Council acting chairman Abang Zulkifli Abang Engkeh, who will contest the Beting Maro seat, and Sarawak PKR Leadership Council secretary Joshua Jabeng for the Kakus seat.

The party had previously said it was planning to stand in 49 of the 82 state seats up for grabs.

In announcing the initial list of 27 candidates yesterday, Sarawak PKR election director Dominique Ng said the decision was made to ensure the party focused on “winnable” areas.

“We will focus on the seats that we are likely to win as opposed to placing candidates in areas where we have no chance at all,” she said, adding that the party might make last-minute changes and add more candidates.

Meanwhile, Sarawak DAP welcomed PKR’s decision to contest in 28 seats to avoid PKR-DAP clashes in the state elections.

“Let’s work together to maximise our efforts to capture as many seats as possible in the coming state elections,” state DAP chairman Chong Chieng Jen said after presenting appointment letters to its candidates in Bawang Assan and Dudong at its Sibu office yesterday.

Chong announced Amy Lau, 30, as the party’s candidate for the Bawang Assan seat while Paul Ling, 39, will compete in Dudong. - FMT