KUALA LUMPUR, 19 February: DAP Secretary General Lim Guan Eng today moved to quell speculation about seat negotiations in Johor which have been under the media spotlight lately after public statements by DAP and PKR local leaders were played up by mainstream media.

Lim said that after communication with PKR head Anwar Ibrahim, agreement had been reached on the matter.

“(PKR Johor Chair) Chua Jui Meng and (DAP Johor State Committee Chairman) Dr. Boo Cheng Hau should refrain from making further public comments on the relationship between the Johor state leaderships of DAP and PKR, especially on the contentious issue of seat negotiations,” Lim said in a statement today.

Lim advised both state leaders to first consult with the respective top party leadership before making any public statements on seat allocations.

“Dont be exploited”

Lim warned that the recent visible public discord between PKR and DAP in Johor had been exploited by all mainstream media, especially those controlled by BN.

“Such negative publicity is not desirable in the lead up to the general election and will only delight BN and disappoint PR supporters hoping for a real breakthrough in this BN fortress state,” he said.

Recent media reports have been speculating on the candidate for the Gelang Patah parliamentary seat in the 13th General Election.

While acknowledging Dr Boo’s frustration of being dictated to in the relationship between DAP and PKR in Johor, Lim reminded that such matters, no matter how unjust and frustrating, should not be expressed in the public domain “unless all avenues for discussion internally between PKR and DAP have been exhausted”.

“As such discussions are still continuing, leaders, members and supporters of DAP, PKR and Pakatan Rakyat are advised to express their views through internal channels in order not to provide ammunition for our political opponents.”

Lim emphasised that the national seat negotiations among Pakatan Rakyat parties is still ongoing, and the question of disputed seats will be addressed by the top three leaders of Pakatan Rakyat.-The Rocket