Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub. — THOMAS YONG/The Star
JOHOR BARU: Seat distribution talks for three out of the six states that will soon be having elections are about 90% complete, says Datuk Seri Salahuddin Ayub.
The Amanah deputy president said the three states are those previously won by Pakatan Harapan, namely, Selangor, Penang and Negri Sembilan.
"We have given freedom to the respective states to carry out seat negotiations and some states, such as Kedah, have held two rounds of negotiations.
"Some states have just started but normally, we will need at least three rounds of negotiations to iron out all issues.
"Three states that are under Pakatan are about 90% done with the seat negotiations while the rest are still in progress. So far, there are no problems," he told reporters when met after checking on the price of goods at the Larkin Market here Friday (April 21).
He said this when asked on the progress of seat negotiations between Pakatan and Barisan Nasional for the upcoming state elections.
Salahuddin added that Amanah would ensure that the candidates they put forward receive the approval of both Pakatan and Barisan.
"As a component party under Pakatan, we will surely make sure that the candidates we place at these seats have been agreed upon by our partners, including Barisan Nasional," he said.
He added that Pakatan and Barisan are prepared to take on PAS stronghold states, which are Kedah, Terengganu and Kelantan.
"I believe politics is not static and since the 12th General Election, we have seen changes in decisions among voters.
"Although PAS or Perikatan Nasional claim that they have a strong base in these three states, we will still try to put forward the best candidates we have.
"Similarly, we should not be complacent when it comes to states that were previously won by Pakatan. We need to be prepared and work hard to defend these states," he said.
