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.