So what's the problem with Selangor Harapan's seat negotiations?

Talks between Selangor Pakatan Harapan on state seat allocations remain deadlocked, with just six days to go before negotiations are supposed to end on Jan 31.

The problem stems from disagreements between PKR and the three other Harapan parties on when and where the seat allocations should be discussed.

The issue has been played out in the media for a week without any resolution.

Malaysiakini dissects the issue to get to the heart of the matter.

What PKR wants

PKR is insisting that the talks be held by the state coalition's election committee chaired by Sri Andalas assemblyperson Dr Xavier Jeyakumar.

Selangor PKR deputy chief Zuraida Kamaruddin (photo) said this is a delegation of duties.

"So, discuss at this level and then bring it to the state Harapan leadership council (for approval)," Zuraida told Malaysiakini.

She added that other states had also used a similar formula.

What Amanah, Bersatu and DAP want

However, Amanah, Bersatu and DAP want talks on the matter to be held by a separate seat allocation committee.

"The election committee was never intended to do seat negotiations and we look towards a Harapan Selangor meeting to set up a committee to do seat negotiations," Selangor DAP chief Tony Pua (photo) said.

The three parties also disagreed with Zuraida, saying that Harapan, at the national level and in the other states as  well, had two separate committees.

So have they talked about seats at all?

According to Zuraida, Selangor Bersatu chief Abdul Rashid Asari and Balakong DAP assemblyperson Eddie Ng, seat negotiations had been raised at the election committee.

However, while Zuraida said this equalled to formal discussions, Amanah, Bersatu and DAP see it otherwise.

The three parties said the Selangor Harapan election committee does not have the mandate to discuss seat negotiations.

Zuraida's take on this is that the election committee can discuss seat negotiations, but "the mandate lies with the respective chairpersons" to approve how the seats are divided.

It is understood that DAP leaders at the election preparation committee are also not authorised by the party leadership to discuss seat allocations.

What is next?

Abdul Rashid (photo) told Malaysiakini that he would be meeting Selangor Harapan chief Azmin Ali at his office in Shah Alam on Monday.

"The purpose of the meeting was not explained," Abdul Rashid said.

It is believed that Azmin may seek to hash out overlapping seats between Bersatu and PKR at the meeting. Bersatu is reportedly seeking to contest in seats that PKR previously lost.

Should Selangor Harapan fail to finalise the seat negotiations by Jan 31, Amanah and Bersatu plan to raise the matter with the Harapan presidential council.

"Amanah will write a letter, on Feb 1, to our national leadership to raise this matter with the presidential council," Selangor Amanah chief Izham Hashim said.- Mkini