As dissolution looms, Selangor BN, Harapan yet to hold formal seat talks

As the date for the Selangor state assembly dissolution looms, state BN and Pakatan Harapan leaders are reportedly yet to hold formal talks on seat negotiations and other election strategies.

According to Umno veteran Mohamad Khir Toyo, state Umno/BN leaders and grassroots are also facing issues in accepting the party's collaboration with Harapan, especially its component DAP.

"It seems that only Umno leaders are eager to work with Harapan and DAP, while the grassroots are not interested in reciprocating.

"This is because the majority of Harapan/DAP leaders are confident that they can win in all the seats they contest in, and retain the state administration without Umno/BN's support," the former Selangor menteri besar was quoted telling Sinar Harian.

Khir, who is also the former Sungai Panjang assemblyperson, admitted that BN faced an opposite predicament, as it needs Harapan supporters’ backing, especially those who voted for PKR and Amanah, to make it through the state election.

"Umno is also facing the possibility of getting protest votes from Indian and Chinese voters who supported MIC and MCA, who felt that the two parties were left out in decision-making," he added.

Umno veteran Mohamad Khir Toyo

According to Khir, BN hopes to contest 10 state seats in Selangor in the upcoming state polls, including three seats which are still the subject of overlapping claims with Harapan.

Overlapping seats

Sinar Harian reported that the three seats in question are the Jeram state seat under the Kuala Selangor parliamentary constituency, as well as the Hulu Bernam and Batang Kali state seats under the Hulu Selangor parliamentary constituency.

The daily also quoted a source saying that both Umno and Amanah are gunning for the Jeram and Hulu Bernam seats, while the Batang Kali seat is being eyed by PKR and MCA.

"Umno faces issues in convincing its hardcore supporters and members to support Harapan candidate in the state election, if BN not allocated seats proportionate with the other parties."

Last February, Selangor legislative assembly Speaker Ng Suee Lim declared the Batang Kali state seat vacant after its incumbent Harumaini Omar went absent from the assembly for more than six months without leave.

Harumaini is a member of Pejuang. He was elected in 2018 when he stood as a Harapan coalition candidate. At the time, he was with Bersatu.

The Hulu Bernam state seat, meanwhile, is held by BN's Rosni Sohar, who won it by a slim 20-vote majority in a contest with PKR and PAS candidates in the 14th general election (GE14).

As for the Jeram state seat, it is held by Pejuang's Mohd Shaid Rosli, who won it on a PKR ticket in GE14.

He defeated candidates from BN and PAS with a 1,191 majority vote. - Mkini