With strength of 'sleeping giant', Kedah Bersatu mum on GE15 seats

 

Kedah Bersatu is confident of the party's strength, likening it to a "sleeping giant", but will not disclose the number of seats it is eyeing for the 15th general election (GE15).

Malay daily Utusan Malaysia quoted its chief, Mohd Suhaimi Abdullah, as saying that Kedah Bersatu will act "rationally" to ensure the best strategy that can bring victory for all coalition partners.

"There is no point for us to be overzealous in contesting to end up losing. So, for that, we will be rational in terms of seat distribution.

"The strength of Kedah Bersatu, I can describe it as a sleeping giant. We may appear silent, but we do have the strength," he reportedly said.

Suhaimi added that he chose not to reveal the numbers as it remains uncertain whether the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition would last until GE15 at the state or federal level.

For now, he said the party has two options. 

"To go through GE15 only with PAS or to also involve Umno. That is still unclear, including at the federal level.

"We will wait for a decision from the top leadership. We do not want to appear greedy or aggressive.

"Only when the time comes, God willing, we will ask for as many (seats) as possible," Suhaimi was quoted as saying.

Previously, Perlis Bersatu state secretary Izizam Ibrahim reportedly revealed the party's intention to contest seven of 15 state seats and one out of three parliamentary seats.

Perlis Bersatu lost in all five state seats it contested against Umno and PAS candidates in GE14, while the party was still a part of Pakatan Harapan.

Razali Idris

Meanwhile, Terengganu Bersatu chief senator Razali Idris reportedly said the party intended to contest in two parliamentary seats and eight state seats for GE15.

This is fewer than the three parliamentary seats and 10 state seats it contested and lost in GE14.

Terengganu Bersatu gained the Hulu Terengganu parliamentary seat after its representative, Rosol Wahid, left Umno to join the party. - Mkini