PASIR GUDANG, June 22 — Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin today said he hopes the party will get the chance to contest its traditional seats in the coming six state elections to stay competitive.
Khaled said he is not involved in the seat negotiation talks with Pakatan Harapan (PH) and is unable to provide a figure on the number when asked by reporters.
“This will only be made known by the party’s leadership. For Umno, we hope to maintain our participation in our traditional seats,” the higher education minister replied during a working visit to the Ibrahim Sultan Polytechnic here.
He was also asked for comment on the nine overlapping seats between Barisan Nasional (BN) and PH in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Penang, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu.
He echoed the remarks by other Umno leaders, saying negotiations were now in the final stages and that only a few seats were still in the air.
“The issue will be handled by the respective leadership of the parties involved.
“Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will announce the decision,” he told reporters.
Last Sunday, Umno secretary-general Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said the issue of the nine seats will soon be finalised by the respective party presidents.
The elections for the six states are expected to be held simultaneously in July or August, after the respective state legislative assemblies are dissolved.
Kelantan announced the dissolution of its state assembly earlier today.
