PUTRAJAYA: Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is confident that the unity government can not only retain the three states governed by Pakatan Harapan, but also capture two states currently under opposition rule.
Anwar said his confidence in retaining Selangor, Penang and Negeri Sembilan was a result of studies conducted by his team, which showed that the public had grown to accept the cooperation between PH and Barisan Nasional.
“Now we are moving towards the two states (governed by PAS), and I will announce which states later,” he said at an event here today.
However, he declined to reveal the two states to reporters.
Apart from PH-held Selangor, Penang and Negeri Sembilan, the PAS-led states of Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu are also set to go to the polls soon.
The state elections will see a total of 245 seats contested in the six states. Selangor has the most number of seats with 56, followed by Kelantan (45), Penang (40), Kedah (36), Negeri Sembilan (36) and Terengganu (32).
Anwar, who is also the PH chairman, said while seat negotiations between PH and BN have been finalised, the state leaderships from both coalitions are still being given room to express their views.
Last Saturday, BN chairman and Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said BN is expected to contest 45% of the 245 seats.
Anwar, who is also the PKR president, said PH and BN will launch their joint machinery in Selangor on Friday as part of their efforts to initiate grassroots-level activities.
