DAP may field candidates in Kelantan

DAP is seeking to field candidates in Kelantan – the first time in 31 years – during the upcoming general election. 

According to the deputy leader of Kelantan Pakatan Harapan, Wan Abd Rahim Wan Abdullah, there have been requests by DAP to have its candidates fielded.

"Yes, there were requests (by DAP) for state seats," Wan Abd Rahim told a press conference in Kota Bharu today.

Sources told Malaysiakini that DAP was eyeing the Galas and Kota Lama state seats.

The party was said to have a candidate from the Orang Asli community, who is said to be suitable for Galas, a constituency near Gua Musang.

"This is our new approach towards providing the Orang Asli with a chance to be part of the state government, should we win in Kelantan," said one source.

On the other hand, Kota Lama has the highest concentration of Chinese voters in the state, making up close to a third of the 30,000-odd voters.

However, Kota Lama is considered a PAS stronghold. The seat has been held by Anuar Tan Abdullah since 1999.

Anuar Tan has always beaten his MCA opponent with a comfortable majority, save for the 2004 general election, when he won with a very narrow majority of 34 votes.

Meanwhile, Wan Abd Rahim, who is also the Kelantan Amanah leader, said seat allocation talks for the parliamentary level contests would not involve DAP.

However, talks on this were still going on and that there were four overlapping claims to be resolved.

Kelantan Amanah also announced that it would hold a fundraiser on Oct 10. The party seeks to raise RM1 million for its general election campaign.

Meanwhile, Kelantan and Terengganu DAP organisational coordinator Lee Chin Chen confirmed that DAP intends to contest the two seats.

"Yes. We will discuss the candidates if we gain the rights to contest," Lee told Malaysiakini when contacted. - Mkini