PENANG Pakatan Harapan (PH) has yet to start negotiations with Barisan Nasional (BN) on seat distribution for the upcoming state elections, said Chow Kon Yeow.

The state PH chairman said the coalition is finalising its position before discussing seats with BN.

The chief minister said such negotiations usually begin when the state assembly is dissolved or before the nomination of candidates.

“We have been given a month (to discuss seat negotiations with BN) and this is now the second week.

“There have been (unofficial) discussions before this but our intent now is to finalise our positions before opening any talks with BN.

“Usually in elections, such decisions can only be made in the last stages once the assembly is dissolved or just before the candidates are announced,” he was quoted as saying in a New Straits Times report today.

Six states opted not to hold polls when the general election was held on November 19 last year, saying they would prefer to do it closer to the expiry of their five-year mandates between May and August this year.

Penang, Selangor and Negri Sembilan are controlled by PH, which is part of the federal government. 

Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu are controlled by PAS, which is part of the Perikatan Nasional opposition coalition. 

Chow said a meeting on PH-BN cooperation was to have taken place last week, but it was postponed due to other pressing matters.

He said a new date would be set soon.

In the last state elections, PH captured 33 state seats in Penang while BN won two – Sungai Dua and Permatang Berangan. 

Yesterday, PH secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said component parties that captured seats in the 2018 state elections would defend those seats. 

“This formula already exists in PH – where the seat remains with the incumbent unless someone wants a change. That would depend on the parties involved.

“This principle still holds true. As we enter into talks with BN, who are our partners in the unity government, this (seat distribution will) also include BN,” he told reporters. – April 9, 2023.