PN-BN seat allocation for Melaka polls based on incumbency

KOTA BARU: The seat allocation between Perikatan Nasional (PN) and Barisan Nasional (BN) for the Melaka state election will be based on the incumbent concept.

PN secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said the concept had been generally agreed upon by all component parties in the coalition.

"The concept that has been generally agreed upon is 'incumbent', meaning the sitting representative.

"This approach is the same as that used in other states previously.

"In Kelantan, Pas and Perikatan Nasional (PN) hold 42 of the 45 seats, making them the incumbents. In Terengganu, Pas and PN are the incumbents in all 28 seats," he said at a press conference after the Himpunan dan Munajat Penyatuan Ummah (HIMPAK) gathering last night.

He said Umno was also the incumbent in 21 seats in Melaka.

"In Melaka, Umno is the incumbent in 21 seats. So, we have to understand it that way," he said.

Also present were Pas president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang and his deputy, Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man.

BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was reported as saying that negotiations with Pas for the Melaka state election had been finalised.

He said BN would contest 21 state seats, while Pas and its allies would contest the remaining seven.