Grand opening: Dr Wee (fourth from right) flanked by MCA deputy president Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon (Dr Wee’s left) and Choong launching the service centre near Dewan Bukit Pagar in Tapah, Perak.
TAPAH: With enemies now turning into friends, the strategy for the upcoming state elections will be different than it was before, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.
“We can see that after the 15th General Election, the enemy has now become friends with the forming of the unity government.
“Before this, discussions were just among Barisan Nasional component parties.
“Now, it will be more complex as there are Pakatan Harapan component parties as well,” the MCA president said after launching Chenderiang assemblyman Choong Shin Heng’s service centre near Dewan Bukit Pagar here yesterday.
Six states – Selangor, Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah, Negri Sembilan and Penang – will need to dissolve by the mid of the year, paving the way for the state polls.
Dr Wee said discussions over seat allocations involving all parties in the unity government for the state polls would take some time.
He said the final negotiation was expected to be conducted in the mid of April.
“The unity government had its second meeting on March 19.
“Seat allocations will be the most crucial part of the discussions,” he said.
Since Barisan and Pakatan are partners in the present administration, a more detailed discussion is needed ahead of the state polls.
“Before this, discussions only involved three component parties (under Barisan), similar to three men eating ‘nasi ambeng’ (traditional Javanese dish).
“The situation is now very much different,” Dr Wee added.
On March 19, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said seat negotiations among all parties under the unity government would be confirmed soon.
On the new service centre, Dr Wee said it would enable Choong to serve his constituency better.
“Tapah is a Barisan stronghold where the coalition won the parliamentary constituency and two state seats.
“I believe Choong will be able to uphold the mandate given to him by the people,” he said.
