Perak Pakatan Harapan today proposed for the federal opposition coalition to only contest in one seat - either Kuala Kangsar or Sungai Besar – in next month’s twin by-elections.

It said the other seat could be contested by Islamist party PAS, which is not a member of Pakatan Harapan.

In a statement, Perak Harapan said the decision was unanimously reached at its meeting last night as a sign of its sincerity to ensure a straight fight against the ruling BN coalition.

“All Harapan component parties have pledged to mobilise our election machineries to ensure victory of our candidate if given the chance to contest in either Kuala Kangsar or Sungai Besar.

“As part of preparations to face the by-election on June 18, Perak Harapan have set up a working committee chaired by state opposition leader Nizar Jamaluddin,” the statement said.

Other members of the committee include PKR’s Lumut MP Imran Abdul Hamid and DAP’s Tronoh assemblyperson Yong Choo Kiong.

Kuala Kangsar and Sungai Besar, both parliamentary seats in Perak and Selangor respectively, fell vacant after the death of their elected representatives, Wan Khair-il Anwar Wan Ahmad and Noriah Kasnon, in a helicopter tragedy in Sarawak early this month.

The Election Commission yesterday announced that nomination day has been set for June 5, followed by a two-week campaign period.

Pakatan Harapan has yet to announce which of its component parties would be fielding a candidate for the two seats.

In the 13th general election, PAS had contested and lost to Umno in both seats when the party was part of the then Pakatan Rakyat coalition.