In PAS heartland, Amanah and Bersatu to lead two-prong attack

Amanah is expected to contest the lion's share of state assembly seats in Kelantan during the next general election in a bid to unseat the PAS-led state government which has been in power for close to three decades.

Meanwhile, Bersatu is expected to contest the majority of parliamentary seats in the state, according to multiple sources familiar with the ongoing seat negotiations.

Sources told Malaysiakini that under the current proposal, Amanah will contest 32 out of 45 state seats or more than two-thirds of the seats.

The splinter party is seen as having the most potential to inflict damage on PAS and BN, although whether it can win remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, PKR is expected to contest six state seats, which is just one seat more than the last general election, in an apparent attempt to avoid conflict with PAS.

Bersatu is expected to contest five state seats, while DAP will contest in two.

However, the negotiations are not final, in particular on whether DAP should contest at all for fear that the move could backfire.

DAP had not contested in Kelantan since the 1986 general election but has expressed interest to contest in Kota Lama and Galas in the 14th general election. PSM has also expressed interest in Kota Lama.

Sources involved in the negotiation said the fear is if DAP contests in Kelantan for the first time in more than three decades, it may become fodder for opponents who have repeatedly branded Amanah as a lackey of DAP.

However, it had been decided that DAP will sit out of the federal level in Kelantan while Bersatu takes charge.

Under the present arrangement, Bersatu is expected to contest in eight parliamentary seats, including in Gua Musang, Jeli, Pasir Puteh, Rantau Panjang and Tumpat.

Amanah will contest in four parliamentary seats including Kota Bharu, Kubang Kerian and Bachok, while PKR will contest in three, namely Ketereh, Machang and Pengkalan Chepa.

The sources said changes to the seat distribution may still happen but a major revamp is not expected.- Mkini