KLANG: Seat negotiations between Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional are proceeding slowly because the priority now is to strengthen ties between the two coalitions.
Amanah communications director Khalid Samad said both sides were now concentrating on building camaraderie and identifying common goals.
"The state elections will take place in late July or early August, so why jump into discussions now, which may cause friction?" said Khalid.
He added both Pakatan and Barisan were also giving priority to the unity government convention scheduled for May 14.
The event is aimed at breaking the ice between members of the two coalitions as well as providing a platform for open discussion.
"We will speak about things we have in common first before moving on to seat negotiations," he said.
According to Khalid, there will be two layers of negotiations – first between Pakatan and Barisan followed by negotiations amongst Pakatan partner parties.
He added the present understanding was for parties to retain their seats.
"The seats that both sides lost will be discussed and allocated accordingly.
"We'll see who is stronger in that particular state and give them the seats," said Khalid.
He added that in Kelantan and Terengganu for example, it had always been a fight between PAS and Barisan, hence the majority of the seats there would probably go to Barisan.
Khalid also brushed aside speculation that Amanah had been told to give up some seats to Umno.
There is talk along the political grapevine that Amanah is being sidelined in favour of Umno for seats.
Meanwhile, a source familiar with the matter said this issue concerned certain seats only.
