PN prepares for GE15, appoints coordinators for S'gor Parliament seats

Perikatan Nasional has appointed constituency coordinators in all 22 Selangor parliamentary seats, with Bersatu and PAS to oversee nine seats each and four by Gerakan.

However, the appointments would not necessarily reflect the candidacies for the 15th general election, ahead of an expected dissolution of Parliament, PN chairperson Muhyiddin Yassin said.

"Maybe the coordinator is from Bersatu but not necessarily the candidate will be from Bersatu.

"If the coordinator is from PAS, not necessarily the candidate will be from PAS, because we have not decided on that," Muhyiddin said at a Selangor PN dinner function in Shah Alam last night, attended by several hundred component party members, during which he presented the appointment letters.

Muhyiddin said those appointed - including incumbent elected representatives - would be in charge of administrative matters, including coordinating the PN election campaigns.

At the top of the appointment list are Selangor Bersatu chief Abdul Rashid Ashaari (Kapar), Selangor PAS commissioner Ahmad Yunus Hairi (Kuala Langat) and Selangor Gerakan chief Ang Chin Tat (Puchong).

Two Bersatu incumbents, Sabak Bernam MP Mohd Fasiah Mohd Fakeh and Sungai Besar MP Muslimin Yahya, were named as coordinators for their respective constituencies.

Other Bersatu incumbents include Gombak Setia assemblyperson Hilman Idham, who has been assigned the Gombak parliamentary seat.

Met by reporters later, Muhyiddin said there have been prior agreements reached on the appointments, while further discussions would be held on seat distribution for GE15.

Asked for comments on speculation that Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob will seek an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong tomorrow to propose for the dissolution of Parliament, Muhyiddin said PN's affairs, including seat negotiations, would proceed as planned.

"As I mentioned, we have started seat negotiations and we will finish everything.

"I cannot speculate on whether Parliament will be dissolved or otherwise," he said.

On PN's GE15 manifesto, Muhyiddin said a committee has been formed to draft its five-year plan, which would be revealed after the election is called.

'Enemies attacking PN'

During the function, Muhyiddin and other component party leaders in their speeches alluded to alleged attempts to weaken the ties of the PN member parties.

"Our enemies see us as a threat! They are afraid of us! So they try to break us apart," he said.

Muhyiddin stressed that there are no secrets among PN components, including on matters discussed between PAS and Umno as part of the Islamist party's unification agenda.

"Nothing is hidden among us… that is our show of sincerity as PN leaders," he said.

Yunus, PAS' Sijangkang assemblyperson, cited media reports yesterday quoting sources who alleged strained ties between the party and Bersatu, purportedly due to unhappiness over the coordinators' appointments.

"There are those who claimed PAS is boycotting (the function)... How can we boycott PN? We are one of the founders...," Yunus said.

Similarly, Selangor PN chief Azmin Ali said diversity within the coalition is feared by their rivals, leading to such attempts at breaking them apart.

"There are efforts to break PN. Because they know our diversity is not a problem for us.

"Our diversity is our biggest asset. That is why our enemies are afraid. Every day we are under attack," said the senior minister.

Among other PN leaders present at the function in Shah Alam last night were Bersatu Women's chief Rina Harun and Gerakan president Dominic Low.

Tuan Ibrahim: Umno’s ‘three conditions’ not in formal statement

'I don't know about it' - Selangor PAS chief on souring ties with Bersatu claims

Zahid says PAS likely to side with BN - sources

PAS free to use its own logo under BN’s banner – Zahid

PN rejects GE being held this year

It ain't over till it's over: Ismail Sabri on PAS-Umno talks

PAS wants more time before GE, sees Harapan as main enemy

To cooperate with Umno, PAS must split from Bersatu, PN - Zahid