DAP and PKR agree on seat allocation in Penang

Singapore, Jan 9 (UNI) The Democratic Action Party (DAP) and Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) today agreed to field candidates in all Parliamentary and State constitutiencies in Penang to ensure that the Barisan Nasional candidates are challenged in all constituencies.

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng said they had agreed for the DAP to contest in seven of the 13 Parliamentary and 19 of the 40 State constituencies in Penang.

The distribution of seats for the remaining constituencies would be discussed between PKR and PAS, he added.

''This is the final decision reached between the DAP and PKR, and we hope that subsequently we can give full attention to the election process soon,'' he said at a press conference after a discussion on the seat allocation with PKR, here today.

Mr Lim informed both political parties had agreed to cooperate closely whether at the national or state level to ensure victory for the opposition candidates in the general election this time around, news agency Bernama reported.

Meanwhile, PKR advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the PKR would have a discussion with PAS on the allocation of seats for the remaining constituencies in Penang.

''For the other seats involving PAS, a discussion would be held and a separate announcement would be made, and (we) hope the people would give their support to the DAP candidates so that they win the constituencies allocated to them,'' he said.

Mr Anwar said the joint decision reached was based on the agreement of party members at the grassroot level to put up an opposition front in the next general election.

UNI XC RJ KP135