PETALING JAYA: Pakatan Harapan will defend its “bastion states” while taking on the role of a strong Opposition in Terengganu and Kelantan should it fail to take those two states in the upcoming state elections, says Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
Speaking to reporters after a Pakatan presidential council meeting, Saifuddin, the coalition’s secretary-general, said the focus is on defending Negri Sembilan, Selangor and Penang, while putting up a credible fight in the two east coast states.
“Based on information we have received, we are also of the opinion that Pakatan still has a fair chance in Kedah. That is our focus in the context of the state elections,” said Saifuddin, who is also the Home Minister.
Six states will have elections this year after declining to hold them concurrently with the 15th General Elections last November.
On the cooperation between Barisan Nasional and Pakatan in the state elections, Saifuddin said the discussion was merely on preparations for the polls, adding that the council did not go into specifics.
Kelantan’s five-year term is scheduled to expire on June 9, while Kedah has up to Sept 4, and Terengganu until Sept 1.
Selangor’s term will expire on Aug 26, while Penang has until Aug 2, and Negri Sembilan until Sept 2, to hold their state polls.
Meanwhile, Pakatan communications director Fahmi Fadzil said the unity government is considering dedicating a session for The Prime Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat.
Fahmi said this was part of the reforms discussed in the coalition’s presidential council meeting yesterday.
“Prior to this, there was only a Ministers’ Question Time, but a session will be allocated for the Prime Minister’s Question Time, where a day will be allocated for questions that are specifically for the Prime Minister to answer,” said the Communications and Digital Minister.
Fahmi added that the council also discussed Parliamentary Select Committees.
On the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), he said as per policy, the Opposition will lead the committee.
“That is the policy. From the aspect of check and balance, that will give a positive impact,” he said.
On the candidates for the PAC, Fahmi said this will be decided by the Parliamentary committee for selection.
