The leader also warned the local party against rubbing shoulders with PR’s rivals in the state, claiming that the pact was growing “uncomfortable” with reports of such occurrences.
“They (SNAP) have to decide the future of the party. If they want to be a member of PR, then subscribe to our policies.
“They should not discuss matters with rivals. They have done it quite in the open, too, and we are sending a strong message to them that if you want to be a part of PR, then certainly you have to adhere to our policies,” he told The Malaysian Insider yesterday.
Azmin added that once SNAP was willing to establish its commitment to PR, the pact would be willing to “accommodate” the party’s demands in seat negotiations for the impending state polls.
Rumours have placed Sarawak’s next state elections as early as the first week of April with talk that Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud will likely dissolve the state assembly by March 19.
The Sarawak government’s mandate expires in July this year.
“But they have to decide... then, we can accommodate. Then, we are open to discussions,” he said.
The Sarawak-based SNAP, PR’s newest ally in the east Malaysian state, and the coalition’s three core parties of PKR, DAP and PAS, are believed to have reached a deadlock in negotiations over how to divide the 71 state seats up for grabs among themselves in the looming contest.
The Malaysian Insider understands that PKR hopes to take the lion’s share by fielding 52 candidates while SNAP is now demanding to contest in at least 30 constituencies, up two seats from the previous 28 it had contested during the 2006 polls.
DAP is seeking to field 20 candidates while PAS is content with about four or five seats.
But Azmin also stressed that negotiations would be based on consensus among all four PR parties and focus would be on the “winnability” of the candidates.
“We have to look at the seats and at the candidates. There must be a formula for winnability because this is of paramount importance to us in the elections,” he reasoned.
Azmin revealed that he would be flying to Sarawak today to meet with local PR leaders on the issue.
“There are presently some overlapping seats and we need to discuss this. This will be the main agenda of my meeting with the state leadership and hopefully, I will be able to bring back some good news to the PR leadership.
“What is important is that we are able to conclude this whole exercise quickly and amicably,” he said.
Azmin, however, claimed that his presence in Sarawak was not to dictate terms to the state leadership but to obtain feedback to update PR’s national leadership.
“We always try as much as we can not to intervene in their process, but of course, certainly we will have a role to play if there is an overlap in any seat.
“Then, we will provide assistance and advice,” he said.
However, Azmin expressed confidence that the matter would be resolved in time for the pact to ready itself for the crucial polls.
“I believe in the wisdom of the Sarawak leadership. I am sure we will be able to strike a balance,” he said.
In an interview with The Malaysian Insider earlier, Azmin had said that SNAP should contest in fewer seats.
He also said that negotiations with the local party would begin with “nothing more than three seats”.
It is likely that SNAP will clash with PKR as both are eyeing constituencies with Dayak and Iban majorities, while DAP will move in on Chinese-majority urban centres.
Sarawak Barisan Nasional presently holds 63 of the 71 seats in the Sarawak legislative assembly.
Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) holds 12 seats while its BN partners Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) and the Sarawak Progressive Democratic Party (SPDP) hold eight seats each.
Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu (PBB), helmed by Taib, holds the majority with 35 seats.
An English-language daily reported earlier this week that speculations have now indicated that the state assembly may be dissolved as early as March 19 while nominations would likely be set for April 2 and polling day on April 9.
Taib has four months until the assembly is automatically dissolved on July 23.
