BUTTERWORTH: Penang Barisan Nasional component parties have submitted names to be fielded in four additional parliamentary seats held by former coalition ally Gerakan.
The four parliamentary seats — Jelutong, Bukit Bendera, Tanjung and Batu Kawan — were previously contested by Gerakan.
Gerakan quit BN on June 23, 2018 following the coalition's defeat in the 14th general election (GE14) and joined Perikatan Nasional in February last year.
In GE14, Penang BN contested in all 40 state and 13 parliamentary seats, with Gerakan contesting in 13 state and four parliamentary seats, Umno (15 state, five parliament), MCA (10 state, five parliament) and MIC (two state).
State MCA chairman Datuk Tan Teik Cheng said Umno, MCA and MIC had held discussions on the matter at the state level.
He said all component parties were free to name their candidates to be fielded in this 15th general election (GE15), especially in the four parliamentary seats in question.
"We follow the target that we feel has strength and (it) seems to have the support of the people of Penang.
"Nevertheless, we will abide by whatever decisions made by the BN central leadership," he said after a walkabout at the Sultan Abdul Halim ferry terminal here.
Tan, who is MCA vice-president, said they would not object to whatever decision, as their ultimate aim was to win in whatever seats they contested in.
"We cannot afford to have any internal issues. We are going into this election as a united front.
"As such, whatever decision is made by the central leadership, we will adhere to," he added.