Khalid: Number of overlapping seats between Harapan, BN reduced

 

The number of overlapping state seats between Pakatan Harapan and BN for the looming elections in six states had successfully been reduced, said Amanah communications director Khalid Samad.

This comes after a meeting among coalition government leaders held at the Umno headquarters at Menara Dato Onn in Kuala Lumpur last night, Khalid was quoted as saying by Berita Harian.

Khalid, who attended the meeting last night, reportedly said that the discussions on seat distribution would continue, including deliberations at the Harapan presidential council level.

“The number of overlapping seats has been reduced. As for the remaining seats that are still overlapped, they are being handed over to the (Harapan) presidential council (to decide),” he told the Malay daily today.

However, he did not disclose the number of seats that are still overlapping.

Last night, leaders of the coalition government met for approximately three hours at Menara Dato Onn. The meeting was believed to be the final round of negotiations between Harapan and BN on seat distribution for the upcoming state polls.

However, no statements were issued by the leaders on the outcome of the meeting.

It is believed that PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli led the talks for Harapan while BN deputy chairperson Mohamad Hasan headed his coalition’s negotiation team.

Among others who attended the meeting include DAP deputy secretary-general Liew Chin Tong, Umno information chief Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, Kedah Umno liaison committee chairperson Mahdzir Khalid, and Terengganu Umno liaison committee chairperson Ahmad Said.

Talks in Selangor done soon

Meanwhile, Selangor Harapan secretary Mohd Khairuddin Othman was quoted as saying that seat negotiations for the state went smoothly and will be concluded soon.

Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari will be making an announcement on the matter once it’s finalised, he said.

Khairuddin added that the consensus is only at the state level.

“The power to finalise the seats lies with the presidential council,” he told Berita Harian.

It was previously reported that Selangor Harapan and BN failed to reach an agreement on three of the 56 state assembly seats, which were not named.

The six states due to hold elections this year are Pakatan Harapan-held Penang, Selangor, and Negeri Sembilan as well as PAS-ruled Kedah, Terengganu, and Kelantan.

Two states have announced the dissolution of their respective state assemblies - Kelantan on June 22 and Penang on June 28.

It is understood that Kedah is likely to dissolve its state assembly on June 28 while the dissolution of the Negeri Sembilan state legislative assembly is expected to be on June 30. - Mkini