DAP to give way to PKR in Puncak Borneo in GE14

KUCHING: A clash between DAP and PKR in the Puncak Borneo parliamentary seat has been averted after DAP’s Sanjan Daik, who had initially stated his interest to contest the seat, said he was prepared to give way to PKR.

His decision was in line with a decision made by the top leadership in the state Pakatan Harapan.

He said the opposition coalition comprising DAP, PKR and Amanah, had decided that it would maintain the status quo by contesting the same seats it did in the last general election ( GE13) on May 5, 2013.

Instead, Sanjan – the DAP Mambong deputy chairman – assured PKR of his fullest support for whosoever the party would field in Puncak Borneo.

“In the spirit of Pakatan Harapan, I will work with whoever PKR fields in the constituency.

“I will surely help him in the election campaign in any capacity to my very best. I help PKR in every way in a true spirit of Pakatan Harapan.”

Sanjan believed that if all the DAP and PKR supporters could unite, Pakatan Harapan would give Barisan Nasional (BN) a stiff challenge.

Sanjan and PKR’s Willie Mongin had crossed swords in Mambong, which resulted in a three- cornered fight against BN in the last state election.

However, with the agreement signed sometime in March, the contest is likely to be between PKR and BN.

In GE13, PKR contested in 15 seats but only won one seat ( Miri), while DAP contested in 11 seats and won five - Bandar Kuching, Stampin, Sibu, Lanang and Sarikei.

Amanah, the new member of Pakatan Harapan, will run in the five seats previously contested by PAS.

PKR is likely to field Willie, a member of PKR Sarawak leadership council, in Mambong this time where he contested in GE13 – back then, the parliamentary constituency was known as Mambong.

In the 2013 polls, BN’s Datuk Seri Dr James Dawos won the seat in a three- cornered fight, which also included Dr Dripin Sakoi of STAR, with a majority of 9,721 votes.

Dawos, however, will not be defending Puncak Borneo in the next election.

Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak Baru ( PBDS Baru) recently announced its potential candidate for Puncak Borneo, Rapelson Richard Hamit.

Chong (seated fourth right) talks to reporters. He is with Ling, Chiew, Yong (all setaed – third, fifth and sixth right, repsectively) and other DAP members.