KUALA NERANG - An almost equal number of seats have been distributed between Kedah Pakatan Harapan and Barisan Nasional as backup for capturing Kedah from PN.
The state's BN chairman, Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid, said the formula is believed to be able to break through several PN stronghold areas in the upcoming state election.
The agreement was reached after the two coalitions held negotiations, putting aside their emotions and negotiating in a harmonious manner.
"The final decision was made by the top leadership of both parties. We should look at the distribution (of seats), which seems to be almost equal between PH and BN," he said in a press conference at the Best Rural Police Station Award in Malaysia event at Kampung Tanjung Police Station, Pedu on Monday.
Also present was Kedah Police Chief Datuk Wan Hassan Wan Ahmad.
Mahdzir stressed that the agreement on the distribution of seats was accepted by both parties without any protest, even though the agreed distribution was almost equal.
Mahdzir was responding to political analyst Professor Dr Mohd Azizuddin Mohd Sani's views who described the distribution of seats based on the 19-17 formula for PH and BN in Kedah as fair.
Meanwhile, political analyst Professor Dr Sivamurugan Pandian suggested that the coalition should choose an equal or 60-40 method or according to their respective strengths in an area.
Mahdzir said that among the seat distribution criteria used as a guide was taking into account the representation of a party in the contested area.
"We also look at the history of the place besides referring to the results in GE15 and GE14.
"Apart from that, we also looked at the response of the people in that place," he explained.
The basis for the division of seats is also subject to understanding in the Unity Government, he added.
"For example, if a seat was won in 2018, no need to negotiate. We only have to negotiate on which party will be representing that area, which, if possible, can be split in two, half for you and half for us. Let's say there are two seats; divide one for each, or something like that," he added.
Mahdzir emphasised that seat distribution negotiations were also carried out as agreed by the PH-BN coalition parties.
"We are at the final stage now. Only about three or four seats are in the final negotiation, and we hope that the decision reached will be a win-win for both BN and PH," he explained.
However, the seats involved have not been revealed as of yet. They were mixed seats, not just the ones previously contested by Bersatu.
In the meantime, Mahdzir insisted that each coalition use their respective party's logo when contesting the state seats.
"Where BN candidates are contesting, we will use the BN logo; where PH candidates are contesting, we will use the PH logo. Since the distribution of seats has been finalised, we will not clash," he said.
On whether BN or PH would select a menteri besar candidate should they succeed in seizing back Kedah, Mahdzir said the matter is still subject to discussion during the State Unity Convention.
"In the convention, the Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said it would be good if we competed first. That matter will be discussed later," he added.