SEREMBAN: DAP is not shifting from its stand on defending the state seats it currently hold in the upcoming state elections, set to be held from July.
DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke said there has been no change in its policy, which was previously agreed upon by all parties.
He said when it comes to seat negotiations, there are parameters and principles which have to be adhered to.
"Among the basic principles is that seats won during GE14 (14th General Election) would be defended by the incumbent. For example, if BN won a seat, DAP cannot ask for it and vice versa.
"If this happens, it would create problems. In this matter, we have to respect that the incumbent would defend the seat.
"For seats which neither Pakatan Harapan (PH) nor BN won, then it's something to discuss, such as for seats in Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu.
"For any other views, it will have to be referred to the central leadership," he said.
Loke was speaking to reporters after officiating Negri Sembilan DAP's state election preparations at the Pall Mall Hotel here today.
Also present were Negri Sembilan DAP secretary Cha Kee Chin as well as the state party leadership.
Loke was asked to comment on Negri Sembilan BN's recent statement, in which the latter had asked an additional two seats from the 16 it won in the 2018 polls.
Negri Sembilan BN chairman, Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias, had previously delivered this wish to state PH chairman Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun, who is also the Menteri Besar.
Jalaluddin said this was necessary to ensure balance in the state seats.
Loke, who is also Negri Sembilan DAP chairman and Transport Minister, said the situation in Negri Sembilan is more dynamic as there is no opposition.
He noted that all 36 state seats are under the unity government.
"To us, this situation is an easy one to resolve. As for the views from BN, we can refer this to each other's central leadership," he said.
He also dismissed the possibility of some quarters being unhappy over the division of seats.
He said all quarters need to be open minded as the leadership of each coalition already understands the overall situation.
"We are speaking of a cooperation based on principles. If there is no breach of principles, then there should also be no issue of anyone being unhappy," he said.