The suggestion to let Khairy Jamaluddin contest in the Seremban parliamentary seat was a “common occurrence” that is part and parcel of the seat tussling whenever a general election approaches, said Negeri Sembilan MCA liaison chief Siow Koi Voon.

When contacted by Malaysiakini, Siow stressed that despite the suggestion by Seremban Umno Youth, Siow (above) believed BN’s top leadership will make the best arrangement regarding seat distribution.

“Basically, when the general election is approaching, every party and every politician will fight (for the seats). This is very common.

“For now, the BN top brass is still discussing seat negotiations and we will let the leadership take care of it.

“We believe the BN leadership will make the best arrangement and deployment, and we will support it,” said the state chief.

However, Siow declined to comment on the repeated calls from Seremban Umno Youth for the Malay-based party to take over the traditional MCA seat.

He reiterated that the final seat arrangement will be done by the BN leadership and Negeri Sembilan MCA will abide by the decision.

Siow was also the Seremban MCA division chief and BN coordinator for Seremban.

Umno pressure

Yesterday, Khairy indicated he would be ceding Rembau to his division chief, Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan - with no replacement seat lined up for himself as of yet.

Following that, the division youth chief, Zool Amali Hussein, suggested for Khairy to contest in Seremban - a seat that has traditionally been contested by MCA and is a DAP stronghold.

This was not the first time Zool Amali asked MCA to give way to Umno in Seremban. He has repeatedly demanded since 2020 that the seat be given to Umno, which has a “higher chance of winning” as MCA had lost three consecutive elections in the constituency.

In May 2021, Seremban Umno Youth even decided to cut ties with Seremban MCA and Negeri Sembilan MCA because Siow allegedly repeatedly “provoked” them on the issue.

Seremban is represented by DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke, who first won the seat in 2013.

Earlier today, Loke stated that he is prepared to defend his parliamentary seat no matter who his opponent is.

Loke ready to face Khairy or anyone else in Seremban

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