Focus on winning PN seats, not those of other unity govt members, DAP says

Pahang DAP secretary Lee Chin Chen expressed hope that BN and Pakatan Harapan focus on Perikatan Nasional seats in the 16th general election rather than those won by other coalition government members.

“I hope that BN and Harapan leaders at all levels will consolidate the seats they have already won and focus on winning the seats that were won by PN in the last general election.

“This will strengthen the central and state governments of the unity coalition, rather than coveting the seats of other member parties,” he told Malaysiakini.

He cited BN chairperson Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who said that BN and Harapan will work together in GE16 and neither will contest seats already won by the other.

Lee (above) added that seat negotiations between parties in the government should take place through internal channels and not publicly.

“Moreover, the top leaders have always conducted seat negotiations. With three years remaining until the next general election, it is premature to discuss seat negotiations,” he said.

‘Give seat to Umno’

Lee was referring to a Bentong Umno announcement in which acting division chief Mohamad Zaini Salleh said it would request to contest the Ketari state seat in GE16.

This is because the seat, held by DAP’s Thomas Su, is located in a Malay-majority area, Zaini said.

However, Lee noted that DAP has held the seat since 2013.

“This not only proves that DAP is a multiracial party but also demonstrates that DAP has gained the support of local voters.

“Therefore, using the Malay population as a reason to claim the seat is unfounded,” he said.

Meanwhile, when contacted, Su told Malaysiakini that Zaini “should first help Pahang Umno defend its own seats”.

Zaini had pointed out that BN candidate Amizar Abu Adam narrowly lost in GE15.

“We will make an official demand that the Ketari state seat be given to Umno in the next general election.

“This is because we have justification - in GE15, Umno contested (it) and we only lost by 120 votes.

“We will request the party’s consideration, especially the central and state BN leaders, to decide on the Ketari seat (being given to Umno),” Sinar Harian quoted him as saying.

Zaini said this in his speech at the Bentong Umno representative meeting at the Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Perak Jubilee Hall in Bentong, today.

In GE15, Su won the seat with 9,722 votes against Amizar and PN’s William Tan.

Further, Zaini said that Umno had several capable individuals who could stand in Ketari. He singled out an individual as a potential GE16 candidate but did not name the person.

“The candidate is very friendly and known by the local residents and is a child of Ketari,” he said.

Zaini also said that Bentong Umno has continuously reached out to voters and the community.

It had also launched Tentera Alam Maya Umno, a cybertrooper branch, as part of its initiative to face challenges, he added.

MB touts Pahang's anti-apostasy law to deflect PN's attacks

Mud floods strike Bukit Tinggi, Janda Baik

Pahang appoints non-Malay deputy speaker for the first time

Harapan’s elected state reps sign SD supporting Wan Rosdy as Pahang MB

Wong Tack to take on Young Syefura in Bentong as indie candidate

Ketari rep claims futsal competition blocked from Felda sports complex

Rara: Malay DAP leaders not sidelined

Ketari rep meets Dr M to refute 'extremist DAP' label