WORKING TOGETHER: Ho Leng hands over the DAP’s donation to Paul Lee (right), head of the Chinese primary schools’ association.
SIBU: Sarawak DAP will contest at least 20 seats in the next state election, said chairman Wong Ho Leng.
Speaking to thesundaypost after the party’s New Year celebration last Thursday night, he said they had initially intended to contest in 25 seats but because of their ongoing negotiations with other parties in Pakatan Rakyat (PR), 20 is seen as accommodative of their PR partners.
He said DAP taking 20 seats to contest would ensure straight fights between BN and parties in PR.
He said DAP would meet with PKR representatives at the end of this month to pave the way for negotiation with the rest of the PR partners on seat allocation.
“Sarawak DAP will not only contest in Chinesemajority constituencies.
We shall also contest in mixed zones and native-majority constituencies. DAP has moved into the rural area,” he said.
He said DAP was fully prepared for its rural penetration and that the party had formed six more branches in mixed or nativemajority constituencies.
“They are DAP Piasau branch (Miri), Serian branch (Kuching), Sri Aman branch, Limbang branch; while in Sibu, we have Sungei Merah and Sibu Jaya branches,” Wong disclosed.
He said they had also formed the Senadin pro-tem committee in Miri.
Wong, who is also the Bukit Assek assemblyman, said he could not reveal yet the seats that needed ‘ironing out with the other parties’, although DAP was seriously discussing with PKR on four or five seats.
“Our discussion has been progressing in an amiable environment. Soon we shall get the matters settled.
“In fact, we have all prepared for the election.
We are all ready, except for ironing out this matter,” Wong added.
On Wong Ching Yong resigning from SUPP, Ho Leng said he had not joined DAP.
He hoped Ching Yong would find a ‘new home soon’.
On whether he wouldwelcome Ching Yong to DAP, Ho Leng said: “Our door is always open to anyone subscribing to the DAP ideologies.”
About 1,200 people joined the DAP New Year banquetat the Catholic High School Stadium on Thursday night.
Speaking in the grand function were their organising chairman Wong Jih Onn, new member Alice Lau, state DAP publicity chief David Wong, Kidurong assemblyman Chiew Chiu Sing, Meradongassemblyman Ting Tze Fui, state DAP secretary Chong Chieng Jen, Selangor assemblywoman Jenice Lee and Ho Leng.
The party passed the hataround and raised RM11,000 for the development of Chinese education.