IPOH: Former Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu has been appointed by Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) president, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, to lead negotiations on seat allocations with other component parties in Perikatan Nasional (PN) for the 15th General Election (GE15).
Ahmad Faizal, who is also Bersatu vice-president, said elected officials in the coalition have the right to choose which party they prefer to contest with in GE15.
"Every elected person in PN has the right to voice their interest over which party they want to contest with in the next general election," he said.
The Chenderiang assemblyman told reporters this after attending the opening of the Ipoh Parti Gerakan Malaysia (Gerakan) Community Service Centre at Kampung Simee here, today.
Ahmad Faizal added that there has so far been no discussion between Bersatu and Umno on seat allocations for GE15.
"The party is open to discussions, but until today, there has been no formal discussion with Umno on seat allocations.
"Claims that Bersatu wants to take over a number of seats (in Perak), is not true because there has been no discussion yet," he said.
He was commenting on Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Saarani Mohamad's statement urging former Umno elected representatives in Perak, who won under the party's ticket in GE14, to return their seats to the party for GE15.
In Perak, the parliamentary seats of Larut, Bagan Serai, Bukit Gantang; as well as the Tualang Sekah and Sungai Manik state seats were initially won by Umno in GE14.
Asked whether there should be a formula to avoid scuffles during seat allocation discussions, Ahmad Faizal said it would not arise if the matter is dealt with amicably.
"There will be no chaos should we discuss this matter in a proper way," he said.