PAKATAN Harapan (PH) can win 47 out of the 56 state seats in Selangor should the next state elections be held in June, Rafizi Ramli said.

The PKR deputy president said although PAS and Perikatan Nasional (PN) had put up an impressive performance in the November general election, it would not be easy for the opposition coalition to wrest Selangor from PH.

“Let PN enjoy these three to four months. We will not just win Selangor but will win handsomely. So let PAS have some fun for a while,” said Rafizi.

The Pandan MP recalled how confident PAS and Umno had been in previous state elections but failed to wrest the state from PH.

He said to ensure Selangor stays under PH administration, the coalition has to follow a few steps and those measures have been repeatedly carried out.

“In 2013 and 2018, PAS and Umno were confident that they could win Selangor,” he said.

“In 2008, when we first won the state from Barisan Nasional, there were weekly demonstrations to weaken us. But we have already shown that we are capable of governing.

“Let us not worry, we will continue to govern Selangor after this.

“In order for us to win, there are steps to be followed and we have followed these steps many times; it is proven.”

Selangor, Penang, Negri Sembilan, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu will hold their state elections in six months.

PH and PAS-led state governments did not dissolve their legislative assemblies last November as the country held the 15th general election.

On the cooperation with Barisan Nasional (BN), Rafizi said so far, there has been no discussion between PH and BN but he foresees a possible partnership.

He, however, stressed that apart from wanting to defend Selangor, Penang and Negri Sembilan, PH is also looking to win in its traditional seats in Kedah as well as some in Kelantan and Terengganu.

“So far, PH voters have understood and have accepted why we need to work with BN, Gabungan Rakyat Sabah, Gabungan Parti Sarawak and Warisan,” he said.

“By right, we will have no trouble defending our 40 seats in Selangor alone because our voters understand the reason we are working with BN at the federal level.

“We have not discussed the partnership at the state level because BN has its own processes and so do we.

“But I can picture that there will be cooperation in the six state elections.

“As for PH, regardless of the outcome, we will have to prepare ourselves for the state polls.” – January 14, 2023.