Battle for seats: Verbal sparring between Terengganu leaders ahead of state polls

SHAH ALAM - With the dissolution of the state assembly in six states is less than 10 days away, the competition for seats between party coalitions intensifies with leaders exchanging heated words.

One of them is between Terengganu Umno chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Said and Terengganu Pakatan Harapan chairman Datuk Raja Kamarul Bahrin Shah Raja Ahmad to win the elections.

Ahmad said the component parties, including PKR contesting in the Terengganu state election should acknowledge the intense nature of the state elections, similar to a general election, which primarily involves two dominant parties, namely Pas and Umno.

He added that it was crucial for component parties to be flexible when it comes to the proposed seat allocation by Terengganu Umno to the central leadership.

"Seat division among the component parties has already been carried out. Let the top leadership make the final decision on seat allocation because they have valid justifications for their choices," he said.

"I said we want to win. There are many other positions (if not nominated in state elections) that can be appointed as a senator or in any GLC (government-linked company),” he said.

He told reporters when met launching “Wacana Ilmu Wanita Inspirasiku: Wanita Desa ke Global di Taman Tamadun Islam (TTI), here. Earlier, Terengganu and Kelantan PKR State Leadership Council chairman Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad expressed confidence in their committee's ability to secure several seats in Terengganu.

This is base on various factors, including the demographics of the area, their achievements and the results of surveys conducted.

Raja Bahrin had criticised Ahmad Said's statement. Raja Bahrin said there should be mutual respect and negotiation when it comes to seat distribution within the party coalition.

He said that their main focus is on making meaningful contributions during the upcoming Terengganu elections, especially as the party coalition narrowly won eight seats.

“There are also those who won with the low majority of votes, for example in Ajil state seat (4 votes), Bukit Besi (46 votes) and Dun Jabi (55 votes).

"This shows the role of other coalition parties should not be belittled,” he said.

Raja Bahrin had said five state seats also recorded a narrow majority. There are Kuala Besut (143 votes), Batu Rakit (299 votes), Ladang (363 votes), Pengkalan Berangan (490 votes) and DUN Air Putih (746 votes).