“There is no point in asking us to withdraw from the five seats in exchange for Batu Kitang. The one-for-five exchange proposal shows that DAP is not serious in Batu Kitang.

“The PKR candidate in the seat, Voon Shiak Ni, has been working the ground in Batu Kitang for nearly 10 years, compared to the DAP candidate who was fielded at the last minute,” Xavier told a press conference today.

He said this in response to a remark made yesterday by DAP organising secretary Anthony Loke that the party was willing to withdraw its candidate, Abdul Aziz Isa from Batu Kitang, if PKR agreed to withdraw from five other seats DAP was also contesting.

“PKR would like to stress that we are fielding our candidates for strong reasons and with the right credentials.”

Apart from Batu Kitang, the five other areas where PKR will be facing off with DAP are Mulu, Murum, Ngemah, Mambong and Simanggang.

Xavier said the names of candidates contesting in the five seats would remain on the ballot papers even if they withdrew during the May 7 state election.