IT might not be possible for Umno to stand in 22 constituencies in the Selangor polls, a party leader said.

Selangor Umno Youth chief Mohd Imran Tamrin said the seat consultation committee must receive a mandate from PH and also Barisan Nasional (BN).

“We want to be sure that when BN contests, BN will win with PH’s support. Similarly, when PH contests, it should win with BN’s support.

“This will be refined and finalised by the consultation committee,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

Imran said Umno’s initial target of 22 seats represents each of the party’s 22 divisions in the state.

In addition to the 22 seats, Imran said Umno also wants to stand in the five seats it currently holds and in the seats that are represented by incumbents who have defected.

The five seats where the incumbents have jumped ship are Batang Kali, Jeram, Selat Klang, Dengkil, Gombak Setia and Bukit Antarabangsa.

The 37-year-old lawyer said seat talks were heated because it was the first time both PH and BN were not contesting in all 56 state seats.

The upcoming polls will also be the first time where the two parties do not clash in an election.

“It is certain that at the negotiation table there will be overlapping seats that both BN and PH want to contest. This will be decided at the highest level later,” he said.

Imran also said reality requires PH and BN to prove the strength of the unity government regardless of the number of seats to be contested.

“In terms of political strategy, there are definitely other matters and considerations that will be made by the leadership, including determining the seats contested by BN and PH.

“So no matter how many seats Umno or BN gets, those seats must be won together.

“As many seats as PH can contest, those seats are also ones that we have to work together to win. This is more important,” he said.

PH currently controls 41 seats while BN has five.

The other 10 seats are held by the opposition from Perikatan Nasional – Bersatu (6) and PAS (1), and another three from Pejuang.

Pejuang lost the Batang Kali seat after its representative failed to attend the state assembly session for more than six months.

Imran said PH and BN need to employ a fresh, new methods of campaigning that will resonate with the current voters, including the Undi18 group.

“Apart from giving out good service, we have to look at new demands. There are many professionals from among the youth who are well-educated and have a clear understanding of policies.

“They don’t only need an approachable leader but also one who can talk about policies, good governance and governing the country efficiently.”

Imran also asserted that today’s young political leaders need to return to the common practice of political parties, which is to bring ideas and thoughts for the formation of better policies.

“We are not only focused on service politics but raising a leader who is competent and transparent,” he added. – May 16, 2023.