KUDAT, Aug 8 — Barisan Nasional (BN) remains open to negotiations on seat allocations for the Melaka State Election, including seat swaps, provided they are conducted honestly and in good faith, said BN chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Deputy Prime Minister said the basic principle of the negotiations was that seats won by any party must be respected and should not simply be handed over to political partners.
“As I have stated, the Melaka Chief Minister (Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh), who is also the Melaka BN chairman, said that as a matter of principle, in any negotiations, the position of any party that has won a seat must be respected.
“But negotiations can be held for a ‘swap’ or exchange of seats, provided the number of seats remains the same,” he told a press conference after officiating the Rungus Cultural Festival here today.
Ahmad Zahid said seat swaps could also be negotiated involving other states controlled by the respective parties, provided the exchanges were carried out in a balanced manner.
“Our principle is that it is not impossible for the door to remain open for negotiations, but do not open it too wide and do not shut it completely,” he said. — Bernama
