PETALING JAYA: Pakatan Harapan is unlikely to make way for Barisan Nasional in the 40 state seats it won in 2018 ahead of seat negotiations for the upcoming Selangor polls, says an Amanah leader.
Amanah central leadership committee member Sany Hamzan said it would be impossible for Pakatan to allow Barisan to contest in any of the 40 seats it currently held, except if there is a viable seat swap for both coalitions.
“(It’s possible) if there is a seat swap between seats that are won by both coalitions,” said the Taman Templer assemblyman when contacted Sunday (Jan 15).
“But I think discussions are currently focused on seats won by Perikatan Nasional’s Bersatu and PAS,” added Sany.
Perikatan currently has seven state seats in Selangor, where six are held by Bersatu and one by PAS.
Sany is expecting the state election to be held in June, with the state assembly being dissolved in May.
“I think unofficial talks may have begun and there will be requests made by parties.”
Regardless of the outcome of the seat negotiations, Sany said every leader has to abide by the decision made by top leaders.
“When a decision is made, party members must follow the leadership’s decision.
“In my opinion, it isn’t wise for us to give up the seats we won (to Barisan),” added Sany.
Selangor’s state assembly is due to expire on Aug 26 this year.
Earlier this month, Pakatan secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the presidential council has yet to discuss cooperation with Barisan in taking on the six state elections due this year.
The six states that will be holding polls are Perikatan-held Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu, and Pakatan’s Selangor, Penang and Negri Sembilan.
Kelantan state assembly’s five-year term will expire on June 9, Terengganu on Sept 1 and Kedah on Sept 4.
Penang’s term will end on Aug 2, and Negri Sembilan on Sept 2.
