Malaysian parties form alliance

Malaysian parties form alliance

KUALA LUMPUR (Xinhua): Three opposition parties in Sarawak, East Malaysia, agreed to form a coalition to deny a clean sweep by the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) (National Front) in the coming general elections in the state.

National parties -- Parti Keadilan Nasional (Keadilan) (National Justice Party), Democratic Action Party (DAP) and Sarawak-based State Reform Party (STAR) -- reached the agreement at their first meeting held in Sarawak Saturday, according to a statement issued on Sunday.

They have decided to establish a top-level selection committee to determine the allocation of seats, the statement issued jointly by DAP Sarawak Chairman Wong Sing Nang, Sarawak Keadilan Chief Yusuf Abdul Rahman and STAR President Patau Rubis said.

The committee will only choose candidates able to deliver the seats irrespective of which party they represent, the statement said, adding the opposition front will also form a media secretariat which will be manned by representatives from the three parties to issue all press statements.