ALOR STAR: There will be no change in seat distribution among Pakatan Harapan (PH) component parties in Kedah, despite the Registry of Societies’ (RoS) move to issue a provisional dissolution order to Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (PPBM).
State PH deputy chairman Dr Azman Ismail said DAP, PKR, PPBM and Parti Amanah Negara (PAN) had agreed to stick to the status quo agreed on by the pact.
“There are no changes. The seat distribution is the same as what we announced before. The only difference is PPBM will contest under PKR’s banner,” he told New Straits Times today.
“The provisional dissolution of PPBM does not mean the party is totally dissolved. There is still time for the party to appeal, so it is not a problem for PH Kedah.”
Dr Azman, who is also Kedah PKR chairman, said Kedah PH was ready for GE14 after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today announced the dissolution of Parliament, which takes affect tomorrow.
Kedah PH had earlier agreed that PPBM, the youngest party in the pact, would contest 14 seats, PKR and PAN would each contest 10 seats and DAP would contest two seats.
PAN Kedah chairman Datuk Dr Ismail Salleh confirmed that seat distribution would not be affected by the provisional dissolution of PBBM.
Instead, Ismail said, RoS’decision had paved the way for PH to unite as its components had agreed to use the PKR logo and banner during GE14.
“The truth is we are stronger because we are contesting under one banner. This will help voters in rural areas as they will not be confused by so many flags.
“In fact DAP, which seemed reluctant earlier, is now willing to use the PKR banner,” he said.
Kedah DAP chairman Tan Kok Yew said the party accepted the decision made by its leadership to use the PKR logo.
He said PH component parties would come up with a new strategy following PPBM’s provisional dissolution.
Kedah Pas commissioner Dr Ahmad Fakhruddin Sheilh Fakrulrazi said the party welcomed the move to dissolve Parliament as Pas was gearing for battle.
“Our list of candidates for Kedah has been submitted to the central committee and we are waiting for the decision,” he said.
Reports by Muhaamad Hafis Nawawi, Suzalina Halid, Embun Majid and Aizat Sharif