April 25, 2023
PETALING JAYA – Final preparations for polls in the six states concerned are set to pick up pace, with the term of the Selangor state assembly to expire in just over two months.
This comes as major political coalitions get over the Hari Raya formalities and move on to the serious business of deciding seat distribution for the state polls.
Barisan Nasional secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said discussions at the state and central levels were under way to build good rapport between Barisan and Pakatan Harapan.
“This process has not encountered problems and our cooperation will be further enhanced,” he said yesterday.
He said a general understanding on seat distribution had been reached but added that the details needed to be worked out by the Barisan and Pakatan leadership.
Zambry said the election machinery of states not involved in the polls would also be mobilised to assist.
“They will go to the ground and help in a show of solidarity and to ensure victory for all candidates of the unity government,” he said.
He said Barisan had held meetings on the polls at the committee stage with the leadership scheduled to meet at a date to be fixed soon.
The Selangor state assembly is set to automatically dissolve on June 26 and state elections must be held within 60 days by Aug 26.
Although the dissolution dates of the five other state assemblies differ, Pakatan and its allies and the Perikatan Nasional opposition have agreed to simultaneous state polls.
The Kelantan state assembly will automatically dissolve on June 28, Terengganu (July 1), Negri Sembilan (July 2), Kedah (July 4) and Penang (Aug 2).
PAS deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said Perikatan’s preparations for the state polls were near complete.
“There is about 10% left with regard to the seat distribution. We hope to pick things up after the festive period,” he told The Star.
Tuan Ibrahim said the PAS election machinery had already been activated.