PRIME Minister Anwar Ibrahim said last night that Pakatan Harapan (PH) has yet to officially hold talks with Barisan Nasional (BN) on how the coalitions would approach state elections due this year and whether there would be a division of seats.

However, the PH chairman said there are no restrictions for state coalition leaders to discuss the issue with BN.

“We have not discussed the distribution of seats with BN officially, although I have not stopped any party leaders at state level from doing so,” he said in Bukit Mertajam last night.

Kedah, Penang, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Terengganu and Kelantan will dissolve their respective assemblies most likely in May or June with the five-year legislative term due to expire.

On Saturday, PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli was reported as saying that PH had started discussions with BN about how they can work together.

Meanwhile, Anwar said he would not interfere in the affairs of PAS after party president Abdul Hadi Awang had declared that PAS would decide when Kedah, Terengganu and Kelantan would go to the polls.

“It is PAS’s prerogative and it can deal with the Election Commission. It is not my business, just that when state elections are not held simultaneously, the cost will increase. – Bernama, January 24, 2023.