JOHOR BAHRU - Johor Umno is set to deploy its machinery to strengthen the party's campaign in Terengganu, Negeri Sembilan, and Selangor ahead of the upcoming state polls under the Unity Government.
Johor Umno chairman Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin announced that 20 divisions across the three states have been identified as adopted areas for assistance.
Khaled explained that this machinery deployment is a gesture of gratitude to the states that supported Johor during the state election in March last year.
"Fourteen divisions from Johor will support 11 parliamentary divisions in Selangor.
"Eight divisions will be deployed to six areas in Negeri Sembilan, while three divisions will be sent to Terengganu.
"During the Johor polls last year, other states came to our aid. As a reciprocation, Johor Umno believes it is necessary to provide on-ground support to these states for their respective elections as it is a joint effort," he told a media conference after chairing the Johor Umno Liaison Meeting at the Johor Umno Headquarters on Sunday.
The state polls are scheduled to take place in six states, namely Negeri Sembilan, Kelantan, Terengganu, Selangor, Penang, and Kedah.
Selangor, Penang, and Negeri Sembilan are currently under the administration of Pakatan Harapan (PH), while Terengganu, Kedah, and Kelantan are led by Perikatan Nasional (PN).
The elections are required as the state assembly's mandate in these six states will expire in the middle of this year.
The Umno vice president noted that the deployed machinery would assist partners in the Unity Government.
"Umno will send its machinery to areas where Barisan Nasional (BN) is contesting.
"However, if there are constituencies with BN candidates and candidates from parties under the Unity Government, our focus will also be on supporting them.
"I believe they will reciprocate by defending peers who have accepted Umno and BN," he added.
Regarding seat allocation for BN in the state polls, Khaled mentioned that it will be based on a formula agreed upon by all party leaders in the Unity Government.
He also added that all the details would be finalised before the nomination period.
"I believe the formula will prioritise seats that we previously won and seats where the party came in second place but with the highest votes.
"However, we await the final confirmation from party leaders in the Unity Government.
"Once approved, we will provide detailed information and announce it before the nomination period," Khaled explained.
On Saturday, BN chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi stated that BN is expected to contest 45 percent of the 245 state assembly seats in the state polls, while the remaining seats will be contested by PH.