Pakatan Harapan pledges no overlapping seats in the north

MIRI: Opposition parties under Pakatan Harapan (PH) have promised there will be no overlapping of seats between them in the northern region for the upcoming parliamentary election.

The parliamentary seats in the northern region are Lawas, Limbang, Miri, Baram, Sibuti, and Hulu Rajang.

“We are not going to repeat that (overlapping seats) again. We have learnt a painful lesson, therefore, we are here today to show that we are united as ever,” said state Democratic Action Party (DAP) secretary Alan Ling.

He said the top leadership would decide on the candidates to stand for PH and declined to reveal which of the seats would be divided between DAP and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR).

“We have a target to at least win in three out of the six seats in the northern region. We are hopeful that the voters still trust in us and continue to vote for us for change,” Ling added.

PKR Miri chief Dr Michael Teo, who is Miri Member of Parliament, said he left the decision of whether he would defend the seat to PKR’s top leadership.

“As of now, we cannot comment on who would become the candidates until the time comes. And that the decision lies in the hands of our top leaders,” he said.

Meanwhile, Parti Amanah Negara (PAN) Miri secretary Mustapa Erol said the party would not be contesting but only be giving its support to both DAP and PKR.

“I can assure that PAN will not be standing in any of the six seats,” he said.

Also present at the press conference were Pujut assemblyman Dr Ting Tiong Choon, PKR Hulu Rajang chief Abun Sui Anyit, PKR Baram chief Roland Engan, and PKR Miri Youth chief Steve Teo.

Barisan Nasional currently holds five of the six northern region seats.