PN last-minute seat negotiations a sign of haste or inclusiveness? Analysts split
With nomination day just days away, two analysts weigh in on whether PN's unresolved seat allocation reflects poor planning or a healthy democratic process.
SHAH ALAM - Seat negotiations among Perikatan Nasional's (PN) component parties, taking place just three days before the Johor state election nomination day, suggest the coalition is working under significant pressure with very little time to spare.
Political analyst Professor Datuk Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi said however, there could be preliminary state-level discussions already in place, with only final confirmation pending.
He said that if most seats have, in fact, been agreed upon, the delay remains manageable.
"But if many seats are still disputed, this shows PN has yet to reach the level of organisational readiness it should have," he told Sinar Harian.
Meanwhile, Universiti Utara Malaysia Malaysian Political Analysis Institute (Mapan) associate research fellow Muhammad Afifi Abdul Razak viewed the seat negotiation process as a positive sign rather than a weakness.
He said it shows PN is running an inclusive and democratic process, giving every component party room to voice its aspirations.
"The internal candidate selection process has been running parallel to leadership negotiations, not sequentially.
"So once the seat allocation is announced, the next steps will move quickly and smoothly. PN's readiness for the state election is high," he said.
The Johor state assembly was dissolved on June 1, paving the way for the 16th state election. The Election Commission (SPR) has since set June 27 as nomination day and July 11 as polling day, with early voting on July 7.
PN Johor chairman Datuk Seri Dr Sahruddin Jamal had earlier confirmed the coalition will contest all 56 DUN seats, with about 80 percent of seat allocations settled.
The remaining 20 percent involves the Malaysian Indian People's Party (MIPP) and proposed electoral pacts with parties including Muda and Ikatan Prihatin Rakyat (IPR).
He said the coalition's four component parties — Bersatu, Pas, Gerakan and MIPP — have activated their election machinery.
By contrast, Pakatan Harapan (PH) had already wrapped up its internal seat negotiations weeks earlier. PH secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail announced in mid-June that seat allocation among PH's component parties was finalised, subject to PH chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's final sign-off.
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