Azmin, Amanah’s Izham trade barbs over seat allocations

(The Star) – Tension is brewing among Pakatan Harapan leaders in Selangor as the coming election draws closer.

PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, who is Selangor Mentri Besar, and Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) state chief Izham Hashim trade barbs over seat allocations in the state.

Azmin had accused Izham of lying that meetings on seat allocations in the state have yet to take place.

“Amanah is lying… Amanah is not telling the truth, Amanah is not amanah (trustworthy).

“Can Amanah at least tell the public the truth? That we have met four times?” Azmin was quoted as saying by a news portal Friday (Feb 2).

Izham, however, refuted Azmin’s accusations, maintaining that state Pakatan leaders had only held election meetings, and not meetings on seat allocations.

“What I said is the truth. In fact, you can confirm this with DAP and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, that no meeting on seat allocations has been held yet,” he said Friday.

Izham explained that election meetings only touch on the Opposition’s election machinery, while seat negotiations are meant to be attended by top leaders of each party.

“We sent our election directors for the election meetings and they don’t have the mandate to discuss seat allocations. Seat allocations are only discussed at high-level meetings.”

Izham said he felt compelled to speak out over the matter, as it is a serious allegation when one accuses another of lying.

“I’m just fed up of him (Azmin) accusing Amanah of lying. You (Azmin) are a friend of Pakatan… why must you accuse us in public of lying when we are not.

“I had to respond to what Azmin said because I have integrity. My reputation is at stake.”

Izham subsequently questioned Azmin’s ability to lead the Opposition in the state, citing the lack of regular meetings held among state Opposition leaders.

“Azmin, as the state Pakatan chairman, is responsible to ensure that meetings are held regularly and to bring the parties together.

“But our last meeting was held in October and we are now closer to the election. We should at least meet once a month but we don’t even have regular meetings.

“It is unbecoming of Azmin … I’m concerned at his role as the state Pakatan chairman.”

Earlier this week, Pakatan chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said that a special committee had been set up to resolve misunderstanding between parties over seat allocations in Selangor for the coming polls.