SIBU: Sarawak DAP described the intention of its Pakatan Rakyat partner, PKR, in fielding candidates in six seats it is contesting in the upcoming state election as "arrogant, insensitive and immature."
"For PKR to jump the gun at this point, saying that they want to contest in this and that seat which were won by DAP, it shows how arrogant they are, shows how insensitive they are and show how immature they are. They should never jump the gun. Even DAP will not say that," vice-chairman David Wong told reporters on Thursday.
He was responding to a statement by Kanowit PKR secretary George Chen who said the party was prepared to send its candidates to contest in Meradong, Repok, Bawang Assan, Pelawan, Dudong, and Bukit Assek.
Except to Bawang Assan, the other five seats are under DAP which won them in the last election.
Chen said the decision to field its own candidates was made after DAP announced it was leaving Pakatan Rakyat as they objected to PAS seeking to implement hudud law in Kelantan.
Wong said PKR was being insensitive as they failed to understand that Sarawak DAP left Pakatan to protect securalism in Malaysia, and the interest of the state in accordance with the 20 points agreement in the formation of Malaysia.
However, Wong, the Pelawan assemblyman, noted that since DAP was no longer in the state coalition, PKR could voice their intention to contest in the six seats.
But he warned that if PKR did not break away with PAS, "they are going to be finished" in the election.
Asked whether it would pose a serious threat to DAP to retain the seats should PKR go ahead with its intention, he said:
"I do not want to sound arrogant as it is up to the people to decide whether they want to vote for someone who want to have a pact with PAS or they want to vote DAP who has made a decision to leave Pakatan Rakyat to protect securalism of Malaysia."