Bersatu to start negotiating seats for GE14 soon

Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) is eyeing on a number of seats to be contested in the 14th General Election (GE14).

Bersatu's protem president, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, they would start negotiating with other opposition parties including PAS, as soon as the party registration is approved by Registrar of Societies (RoS).

"We have gathered some detailed data and information on seats that are deemed as suitable. Perhaps some of these seats have already been allocated to PAS and PKR. But if they understand that our goal is to work together, that will be the basis of our negotiation," he said.

"The most important aspect to this is 'winnability'. Whoever that can show that they have the support of the majority of voters in a constituency and can win, his or her party should be given the opportunity to contest in those seats," Muhyiddin told a press conference by Bersatu's protem members here, today.

The former UMNO deputy president also did not rule out the possibility of defending his Pagoh seat, as a Bersatu candidate.

"When the time comes, we will know," he said.

When asked if a candidate would be fielded in the Pekan parliamentary seat, currently held by UMNO president Datuk Seri Najib Razak, Muhyiddin said: "For certain. It will be either Bersatu or fellow party allies."

Today was the new party's maiden press conference since Muhyiddin submitted the papers for Bersatu's registration to the RoS last Aug 9.

Present at the press conference with other protem committee members were former premier Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who is Bersatu's protem chairman, and his son, Datuk Seri Mukhriz.

Today was also Dr Mahathir's first public appearance after being discharged from the National Heart Institute after he was hospitalised for chest infection earlier this month.