Johor BN begins seat negotiations sans PAS, Bersatu

 

Johor BN has begun seat negotiations sans PAS or Bersatu following the coalition’s decision to enter the 15th general election (GE15) on its own.

This also comes as PAS begins seat negotiations with Bersatu at the federal level but “suspended” talks with Umno, much to the latter’s chagrin.

According to Sinar Harian, Johor Umno chief Hasni Mohamad (above) said BN parties have already identified the seats they want to contest.

However, the coalition has yet to determine the final seat allocation.

“I have begun discussions with MCA and MIC. We first need to understand the concept. We (BN) have agreed that MCA and MIC need to contest in this general election.

“The discussions this time do not involve Muafakat Nasional or Perikatan Nasional (PN).

“This is because there are many uncertainties in Muafakat,” Hasni said after a party event yesterday.

Umno and PAS make up the Muafakat alliance while the PN government includes BN, PAS, Bersatu and Gerakan.

The event, dubbed “Bangkit 15” (Rise up 15), is a programme aimed at strengthening party machinery ahead of GE15. 

Umno secretary-general Ahmad Maslan along with Johor BN and Johor Umno deputy chief Nur Jazlan Mohamed were reportedly present.

Hasni is also the state menteri besar. Johor, Umno’s birthplace and stronghold, has 56 state seats and 26 parliamentary seats.

Umno’s supreme council previously decided to cut ties with Bersatu and PN come GE15.

This decision was crystallised when party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced at the recent Umno annual general meeting that BN will contest the next general election on its own.

Umno previously accused Bersatu of poaching its leaders, enticing its members and fracturing its support base. - Mkini