KUALA LUMPUR: DAP organising secretary Anthony Loke said DAP is the better choice to win several disputed seats in the 11th Sarawak state election compared to PKR.

He said an analysis by the Merdeka Center showed that DAP has the edge in five of six disputed seats, based on several indicators including party and candidate strength.

“The analysis showed that DAP are more popular in Batu Kitang, Senadin, Simanggang, Tasik Biru and Bukit Semuja, while PKR only had the edge in Mambong.

“PKR should honour the result of the analysis, which was initiated by both parties in February to avoid overlapping claims. “PKR should not have chosen not to abide just because the result is not favourable to them,” said Loke in a press conference today.

Loke said DAP went the extra mile to appease PKR by offering a ‘package deal’, in spite of the analysis result, by proposing a 3:8 formula to PKR.

Under the formula, DAP will give up three winnable seats including Batu Kitang in exchange for eight seats which will be harder to win.

Loke said on April 7, PKR agreed that DAP will contest in Senadin, Mulu, Murum, Ngemah, Mambong, Tasik Biru, Simanggang and Bukit Semuja, while PKR will contest in Batu Kitang, Marudi, Machan, Layar and Belaga.

PKR’s eventual decision to contest in five disputed seats, namely Ngemah, Simanggang, Mulu, Murum and Mambong, angered DAP.

DAP then fielded a candidate in Batu Kitang, a newly delineated seat which had been allocated to PKR.-nst