MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong (fourth from right), MCA deputy president Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon (third right) and Chenderiang assemblyman Choong Shin Heng (fifth from right) officiating the service centre.
TAPAH: The final negotiation on seat allocations for the six upcoming state elections is expected to be in the middle of April, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
The MCA president said as there were now more political parties involved in the unity government, discussions on seat allocations would take time.
He said the unity government had its second meeting on March 19.
"Seat allocations will be the most crucial part of talks among the parties," he told reporters after opening Chenderiang assemblyman Choong Shin Heng's service centre near Dewan Bukit Pagar here on Sunday (March 26).
“Before this, there were only three component parties having discussions (referring to Umno, MCA and MIC in Barisan Nasional).
"It is like three men eating nasi ambeng (a traditional Javanese dish served on a platter for communal-style sharing), but now it is different," he said, adding that they would only know the outcome next month.
On March 19, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said seat negotiations among all parties under the unity government would be confirmed soon.
Six states – Selangor, Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, Negri Sembilan and Penang – will have their elections this year.
Dr Wee said that election strategy would also have to change following the establishment of the unity government.
“We can see that after the 15th General Election, 'foe' has now become 'friend'.
“Before this, discussions were just among the Barisan parties.
"Now it is more complex as there are Pakatan Harapan component parties as well,” he said.
