'Dream on': Akmal responds to DAP's 14+14 strategy for Malacca

Summary

• Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh has rejected DAP’s proposal for BN and Harapan to split Malacca state seats evenly, insisting BN will not give up seats it already holds.

• The response follows a resolution by nine DAP branches supporting a 14-14 seat allocation.

Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh has given the thumbs down to a DAP proposal for BN and Pakatan Harapan to each contest half of the 28 state seats in Malacca.

This came after China Press reported that nine DAP branches in Malacca have unanimously passed a resolution supporting the so-called “14+14” strategy for the next state election – a move that, if followed through, means BN would have to cede some of the seats it already holds.

“My answer to DAP is simple. During seat negotiations for the six state elections (in 2023), you found it extremely difficult to give up your winning seats to BN. But now, you so easily want the seats we have already won.

“Therefore, the seats BN has won will never be given to Harapan. If you want them, then we’ll contest in the same constituencies. Simple as that.

“To give them to you? Absolutely not. Keep dreaming,” Akmal (above), who is also a Malacca state exco member, wrote in his Facebook post today.

The 2021 Malacca election largely saw three-cornered fights between BN, Harapan, and Perikatan Nasional, despite both BN and PN being part of the ruling coalition at the time at the federal level.

BN emerged victorious by garnering 21 seats, compared to five seats by Harapan, and two by PN.

During the federal election in 2022, Harapan won three of the six parliamentary seats in Malacca, while PN won the other three. BN lost all parliamentary seats in the state.

Seat allocation resolution

According to the China Press report today, over 100 DAP members from nine branches jointly held their annual general meetings on May 6, where they passed the resolution to support BN and Harapan reaching an agreement for a 14-14 split in seat allocation.

Top Malacca DAP leaders, including its chairperson Khoo Poay Tiong, vice chairperson Leng Chau Yen, and organising secretary Low Chee Leong, were reportedly present.

The report noted that Harapan had garnered 37.2 percent of the popular vote during the 2022 general election, while contesting in five out of the six parliamentary seats in the state.

BN contested in all six seats but only garnered 29.6 percent of the popular vote.

“This clearly shows Harapan enjoys stronger public support in Malacca, with a more solid base and a stronger mandate from the people.

“Therefore, Harapan should receive a fairer and more representative seat allocation,” the report said.

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