KEPALA BATAS: The Umno leadership will leave negotiations for seat distribution between Pakatan Harapan and Umno in the hands of state Umno chiefs and respective chief ministers, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Umno president said the matter would be discussed between parties in the unity government without any interference from the central leadership.
"I will leave it to the chief minister and the state Umno chief to discuss it," he said during a buka puasa event at Masjid Jamek Al-Islah here on Sunday (March 26).
When asked how many of the 40 Penang state seats the party leadership wanted Umno to contest, Ahmad Zahid said it was still too early.
He said what was important now was the discussion on who should contest, based on the candidates' likelihood of winning the seat, not how many seats Umno should contest.
He said what was important now was to establish a relationship with other ally parties.
He also said that the convention involving all parties in the unity government to be held at the World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur on May 14 would improve the mutual relationship.
He said the convention would involve leadership of various parties from division, state and national levels.
"This is to create better relationships at all levels. We need to have good chemistry among leaders, which will filter down to grassroots levels," he said.
There are a total of 20 parties in the unity government, with four main coalitions expected to attend the convention.
