KUCHING, Jan 31 — Sarawak PKR today unveiled the name list for its final batch of 22 candidates who will be vying for seats in the state’s southern region in the coming polls.

The names of those contesting seats in the central and northern regions were announced two days ago.

Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian, who made the announcement today in the presence of party president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, told reporters that the party will be contesting 45 out of the 82 seats up for grabs in the elections.

“They have been confirmed as candidates as they have been working hard on the ground after the 2011 state elections as shown by their Key Performance Indicators,” he said.

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“The final list of seats to be contested by PKR will be known after we have completed discussions with our Pakatan Harapan partners, DAP and Parti Amanah Negara, after the Chinese New Year,” he said.

Baru, who is Ba’Kelalan state assemblyman, said, however, that negotiations are still ongoing between PKR and DAP and PKR and Amanah over about 10 to 15 seats.

“We will resolve these overlapping claims before nomination day,” he said, adding that most of these were contested by PKR in 2011.

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PKR deputy president Azmin Ali, in his speech at the opening of the state PKR election operations centre by Dr Wan Azizah, said rural seats, especially the Dayak-majority seats, are to be contested by PKR in accordance with past arrangements.

“There is no way PKR will give up these seats,” the Selangor mentri besar said.

The names of PKR’s candidates for Sarawak’s southern region seats include Francis Teron (Opar) Boniface Willie (Tasik Biru), Jajol Numan (Tanjung Dato), Nurhanim Mokhsen (Tupong), Mohd Salleh Shawkatali (Satok),  See Chee How (Batu Lintang), Voon Shiak Ni (Batu Kitang), Athina Sim (Serumbu), Willie Mongin (Mambong), Musa Ngog (Tarat), Cyril Langin (Kedup), Reginald Abell (Bukit Semuja), Jamilah Baruddin (Simunjan),  Abang Zulkipli Abang Engkeh (Lingga), Nicholas Mujah (Balai Ringin),  Norina Utot (Simanggang), Kolien Liong (Batang Ai), Yakup Daud (Saribas), Vernon Kedit (Layar), Noel Bucking (Bukit Saban), Jemat Panjang (Kalaka) and Ali Biju (Krian).

Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem said this week that he has proposed April 18 as nomination day and April 30 as polling day for the coming Sarawak polls.

However, he said the Election Commission will make the final decision on the dates after the state assembly is dissolved to pay the way for the elections.