State polls: Seat allocation between Barisan and Pakatan almost finalised

SEREMBAN: Talks between Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan on seat allocations for the upcoming polls in the six states have almost concluded, with a final decision yet to be made on a handful of seats.

Barisan election director Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said a final decision has yet to be made on “one or two seats” in each state.

"We had a very productive meeting on Thursday (June 15) and both sides shared their views on how best to allocate the seats.

"However, on average, there are one or two seats in each state that have yet to be decided," he said when contacted.

Mohamad said the Barisan and Pakatan presidential council will have a final say on this.

“I can’t say more or else there will be a lot of speculation. That will be unnecessary,” he said.

Asked if a date has been set for the presidential council meeting, Mohamad said this would be done soonest.

On Thursday, Mohamad, who is also Umno deputy president, led the talks for Barisan while Pakatan was led by its deputy president Rafizi Ramli.

Other unity government leaders who attended the three-hour meeting were Amanah communications director Khalid Abdul Samad and DAP deputy secretary-general Liew Chin Tong.

Rafizi also later said the discussions went well but declined to elaborate.

Khalid has also since said the number of overlapping state seats between Pakatan and Barisan had been reduced.

Elections are due in weeks in Kedah, Penang, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Terengganu and Kelantan.

Mohamad said the meeting was cordial.

Asked if there was talk on the mentri besar or chief minister candidates, Mohamad said that was not on the agenda.

"That would only be decided by the top level. Thursday night's meeting only focused on seat allocation," he said.

Asked about Negri Sembilan Barisan's request that both the coalition and Pakatan be allotted 18 seats each, Mohamad said this would be finalised by the presidential council.

At present, Pakatan holds 20 seats while Barisan has 16 in the 36-seat state assembly.

Negri Sembilan Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun had said the state Pakatan wants a status quo where the party which won the seats in the last general election will be allowed to defend it.

DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke - who is also Negri Sembilan party chief - agreed with Aminuddin, who is also the PKR vice-president.