KANGAR: Perlis Pakatan Harapan (Pakatan) component parties have yet to reach consensus on state seat distribution for the 14th general election (GE14) following last-minute changes to the allocation of three Parliamentary seats.
The distribution of state seats, which was scheduled to be completed by the end of last month, has yet to be resolved as Pakatan components were forced to return to the drawing board after Parti Amanah Negara (PAN) had to sacrifice its Parliamentary seat to Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM).
It is understood that according to an initial plan, Pakatan components PKR, PPBM and PAN would be contesting each of the three Parliamentary seats in Perlis.
However, PAN had to make way to PPBM – the youngest member of the Pakatan pact – to contest in Padang Besar and Arau, while PKR retained its right to contest in Kangar.
As a result, the parties have had to renegotiate their state seat allocations to avert conflict.
Perlis PKR deputy chairman Chan Ming Kai acknowledged that Pakatan components have yet to finalise talks on state seat allocation, but said he is confident that negotiations would be concluded by this week.
"We have completed the distribution of 70 per cent (of the total of 15 states seats); and only four state seats are left to be finalised, namely Pauh, Simpang Empat, Tambun Tulang and Sena.
"(Negotiations) were supposed to be completed by the end of last month, but we had to review the arrangements following the central leadership’s decision on Parliamentary seat allocation," he said when contacted.
Chan, who is also Indera Kayangan assemblyman, said that for now, Pakatan components have agreed that PKR will contest three state seats; PAN, four seats; PPBM, three seats; and DAP, a single seat.
"PKR will field candidates for Kuala Perlis, Indera Kayangan and Chuping. PAN will contest in Santan, Beseri, Sanglang and Bintong; while PPBM will (fight for) Mata Ayer, Kayang and Guar Sanji. DAP will be contesting in Titi Tinggi," he added.
Malaysia’s smallest state has 15 state seats, with ruling Barisan Nasional holding 13 seats, and the remaining two controlled by PKR in Indera Kayangan and Pas in Sanglang.