KOTA BARU: Pas and Umno are expected to finalise seat allocations for the Melaka election within the next two days, with discussions focusing on the remaining seats.
Pas vice-president Datuk Mohd Amar Abdullah said the party would give priority to Umno, recognising Melaka as an Umno stronghold.
He said Pas respected Umno's position in the state and would focus on contesting seats that Umno did not contest.
"Pas gives priority to Umno because Melaka is an Umno stronghold, with the party having 21 seats.
"We respect Umno in the negotiations. If Pas contests in Melaka, it will be in seats that Umno does not contest," he told reporters after delivering his Friday sermon at Medan Ilmu today.
Amar said BN's allocation of 21 seats in Melaka would remain unchanged, although seat swaps could still be considered in the final stage of negotiations.
He said Umno had indicated its willingness to hold further discussions on possible seat exchanges.
Amar said Pas was not concerned about the arrangement, as Melaka, like Johor, was traditionally an Umno stronghold.
He said Pas was optimistic about its chances in the seven seats it was eyeing, with the party expecting to win at least four.
He added that a special committee was discussing the remaining allocations, with negotiations now focused on finalising the seats.
"At this stage, the committee members are only finalising the seats," he said.
Yesterday, BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the coalition would defend all 21 state seats it won in the previous Melaka election but remained open to negotiations over the remaining seven seats in next month's polls.
He said the coalition had no intention of giving up any of the 21 seats it currently holds to other parties.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd