Parti Wawasan Negara president Hamzah Zainudin said his party, in principle, intends to defend two Malacca seats held by former Bersatu elected representatives who now support Wawasan Negara.
However, Hamzah (above) said seat allocations for the upcoming state election should prioritise compromise among parties within the Perikatan Nasional and BN coalitions.
“I have raised the issue of the Malacca state election, although we do not know when the state legislative assembly will be dissolved.
“In principle, to maintain our position, for example, today the Bemban and Sungai Udang assemblypersons are Wawasan Negara supporters, so naturally we want them not only to be able to contest but also to ensure that they win in the state election.
“If we are looking at what the party wants, then I would want to defend those two state seats,” he said at a press conference after a special Wawasan Negara meeting in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
The opposition leader said this when asked which seats Wawasan Negara intended to contest in the upcoming Malacca state election, as well as BN’s decision to defend all its seats in the state.
In the 2021 Malacca state election, PN won two seats through Bersatu representatives in Bemban and Sungai Udang.
Both incumbents have since shifted their support to Wawasan Negara following the crisis within Bersatu, including Hamzah’s removal as deputy president.
When contacted, Sungai Udang assemblyperson Dr Aleef Yusof reaffirmed his support for Hamzah.
“I’m with Wawasan Negara. Together with ‘Boss’,” he said in reference to Hamzah, adding, “Bersatu is finished”.
“I am ready to defend Sungai Udang,” he stressed.
Compromise needed
Hamzah stressed the need for a “compromise” between PN and BN if the two coalitions genuinely wanted to work together and continue the “blue wave” seen in Negeri Sembilan and Johor.
He said the issue should not be viewed solely in terms of positions in the Malacca election, but should also take into account cooperation in other states.
“This is something we must do, and all the party presidents must sit down together.
“For now, no date has been set for when the discussions will take place, but InsyaAllah, I think in terms of what each party wants, of course everyone wants more.
“But if we look at the situation not only in Malacca but also at the many other states that we will have to take into account, that is when compromise can take place,” said the Larut MP.
On Thursday, PN deputy chairperson Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said no discussions had been held so far, despite BN chairperson Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s announcement that his coalition would recontest all 21 seats it won in the last election, leaving seven seats for negotiation.
Similarly, Malacca opposition chief Dr Yadzil Yaakub, also a former Bersatu-turned-Wawasan Negara supporter, expressed hope that BN would give up some seats to PN in the state election.
No rift
Hamzah yesterday denied claims of a rift between PN and BN following the Negeri Sembilan state election.
“I don’t see any rift between PN and BN because just today (yesterday) we were sworn in. What does that mean? We have our representatives there, so how can people say there is a rift?
“These are attempts to divide us,” the Larut MP added.
The new Negeri Sembilan 11-member state exco under Menteri Besar Ismail Lasim comprises eight Umno assemblypersons and one each from MCA, PAS and Wawasan Negara. - Mkini
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