BAU: The allocation of seats for the next state election remains a non-issue for Sarawak Barisan Nasional (BN), even with the emergence of two new political entities.
According to Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem – who heads PBB, the backbone of BN in the state – there is no problem as the two new parties, Parti Tenaga Rakyat Sarawak (Teras) and United People’s Party (UPP), are both pro-BN.
His remarks came after being asked whether BN would face problem in the distribution of seats among various component parties in the next polls, following the set up of Teras and UPP.
“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. Most importantly, of course, is that they are all pro-BN and on that basis, we can negotiate with them,” he disclosed during a press conference at the civic centre here yesterday, which was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Earlier, Muhyiddin told the media that the allocation of seats in Sarawak would remain the prerogative of the leadership under the state BN, including the 11 proposed new constituencies should they be approved by the Election Commission.
“He (Adenan) has briefed me and also Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak) on the political situation in the state. It is now up to him to use his wisdom in dealing with it,” the deputy premier said.
Muhyiddin, who is also Education Minister, said federal BN leaders would also leave it to their counterparts in state BN to resolve any issues involving UPP and Teras, believing that when the time came, things would be resolved amicably.
He was happy that Sarawak BN had picked up momentum since Adenan took over state leadership.
“On our part, we will continue giving the state government very strong support, because we want to prove that BN is a party that is really people-oriented,” he said, adding that with sound track record, the state BN would therefore be ever ready to face the next state election, which is due by June next year.
“From the way I see it, the state BN is fully and always ready (for election) but it is up to the Chief Minister (Adenan), who is state BN chairman, to decide when he wants to call for it.
“We leave it to him to decide on the timing that he thinks would be most appropriate.”
The press conference was also attended by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu, Housing Minister Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim.