Too early to decide on GE16 seats, says BN sec-gen

BN secretary-general Zambry Abdul Kadir said it is too early to decide on overlapping seat claims between his coalition and Pakatan Harapan for the 16th general election (GE16).

Speaking to reporters after the Cheras Umno division meeting today, he stressed that such decisions will be made by the BN leadership.

“It is common to hear various opinions. This matter is not only in Alor Setar but also possibly in other areas.

“It does not only involve Umno but also other component parties and friends of BN,” said Zambry (above).

“The BN leadership, through our BN supreme council meetings, will decide. It is too early for us to consider it,” he added.

His comments followed media reports that Alor Setar Umno had passed a unanimous resolution for the party to contest the Alor Setar federal seat, and at least one of three state seats under the Kedah constituency in GE16.

In GE15, Perikatan Nasional’s Afnan Hamimi Taib Azamudden won Alor Setar seat in a seven-cornered contest against BN, Harapan, Pejuang, Warisan, and two independents.

In the 2023 Kedah state election, PN also defeated Harapan in two out of three state seats under the Alor Setar federal constituency - Suka Menanti and Alor Mengkudu.

Harapan, having formed a pact with BN, won the third seat - Kota Darul Aman.

Earlier today, FMT reported that Kedah Umno chief Mahdzir Khalid said the claim on Alor Setar would not create any rifts in the state government.

Kedah Harapan chief Mahfuz Omar also reportedly believed the claim was just a suggestion and not a final decision by Umno’s leadership.

In the state elections and by-elections since GE15, the BN-Harapan pact had largely observed an understanding where a party will re-contest a seat which it previously won.

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