Terengganu Umno machinery objects to helping Pakatan candidates for state polls

(MMO) – There is said to be disquiet within the ranks of Terengganu Umno as some party officials purportedly do not want to accept Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidates in the east coast state and may protest any such decision ahead of the impending state polls.

Utusan Malaysia today reported an unnamed leader from Terengganu Umno as claiming that the reason for the objection was that the party’s grassroots did not welcome Umno’s cooperation with PH.

He said the issue was raised during last month’s state Umno liaison meeting with division heads.

“Everyone knows that the only strong parties on the east coast are Umno and PAS. PH has no record and never won without support. Many in the Umno machinery do not want to work for PKR and Amanah candidates, and that’s what is happening now.

“Many are objecting, and the situation will become even more tense if the PKR and Amanah candidates use their respective party logos, apart from also wanting the Umno machinery to help out and fly their flags, which is difficult for the machinery here to accept,” he was quoted as saying by the news portal when contacted yesterday.

According to the unnamed leader, Terengganu PH candidates have requested that several state seats from Terengganu Barisan Nasional (BN), including those that were lost, such as Cukai, Bandar and Kemaman, are contested by PKR and Amanah candidates.

He said a solution is being fine-tuned, after which Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will be informed immediately.

Yet, at the same time, he was also quoted as urging Terengganu Umno grassroots to accept that they may have to collaborate with PH.

According to Utusan Malaysia, Terengganu PH is eyeing 12 state assembly seats in the coming polls.

All the seats in question involve a combination of PKR and Amanah candidates and are in areas won by PAS in the last general election in 2018 (GE14).

They are said to be Cukai, Kemasik, Sura, Rantau Abang, Rhu Rendang, Alor Limbat, Bandar, Batu Buruk, Manir, Buluh Gading, Kota Putera and Jabi.

Meanwhile, Terengganu BN will contest 20 state assembly seats including 10 seats won in GE14, and they are Kuala Besut, Jertih, Hulu Besut, Permaisuri, Langkap, Batu Rakit, Seberang Takir, Telemung, Bukit Besi, and Kijal.

Terengganu BN is also expected to contest other seats such as Bukit Tunggal, Bukit Payung, Ladang, Wakaf Mempelam, Tepuh, Paka, Pengkalan Berangan, Air Putih, Ajil and Kuala Berang.

According to Utusan Malaysia, the chances of PH winning a contested seat in the PAS stronghold of Terengganu, including the Rhu Rendang seat held by the state Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, are slim.

However, Terengganu BN wants to contest more than 20 seats due to its larger membership and stronger election machinery.

The distribution of seats between Terengganu BN and Terengganu PH for the state election is still in the negotiation phase, with state BN chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Said saying that there are ongoing discussions between party leaders over the number of seats that will be handed over to PH.