May 8, 2023
KUALA LUMPUR – There were no issues of contention between Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional over state polls during a meeting on Sunday (May 7) night, says Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He was responding to a question whether there was any disagreement between Pakatan and Barisan over who should maintain the seats in the states that they are currently governing.
He added that the decision on seat distribution would lie in the hands of the state party leadership where polls are taking place this year.
“During the discussion just now, there was no problem. Where did you hear that?
“We accept that some states are governed by Umno (Barisan) and some by Pakatan.
“However, I think we will let each state leadership decide wisely by starting discussions among them before presenting it to the central leadership,” he told the reporters after chairing the third unity government secretariat meeting held at the Umno headquarters here on Sunday night (May 7).
Anwar also said negotiations on seat distribution for the state elections have yet to be finalised.
“We will finalise it soon,” he said.
He said preparations to face the state elections would heavily involve both Pakatan and Barisan parties, supported by other component parties.
“Other parties that have branches here will also provide support,” he said.
Besides Pakatan and Barisan component parties, others involved are Parti Kesejahteraan Demokratik Masyarakat (KDM), Parti Bangsa Malaysia, Warisan and Muda.
Also discussed in the meeting was the upcoming unity government convention that will be held next week on May 14.
He said that the agenda for the convention would include conferences of the women’s and youth wings in the morning followed by the main convention.
He said Deputy Prime Ministers Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Datuk Seri Fadhillah Yusof would be delivering addresses for the women and youth wings respectively.
“The conclusion of the convention will be delivered by me,” said Anwar.
He added that the convention would focus on further championing the rakyat under the Madani spirit.
The meeting was attended by various political leaders in the unity government.
Among those who attended the meeting were MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, Warisan president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal and DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke, among others.