PETALING JAYA: Umno’s estranged ties with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia has spilled over to seat allocations, with the former making it clear it will defend all parliamentary and state seats it won in the 14th General Election (GE14).

       A day after Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said Perikatan Nasional would move forward in the discussion on seat allocations for the 15th General Election (GE15) without Umno, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (pic) said it would not compromise on any seats won in GE14.

       The Umno president said the party was aware there would be others contesting the same seats and described that as normal in a democracy.

       “This decision was not only made by the supreme council, but was born from the voice of the grassroots, which want Umno to be dominant again after GE15.

       “Dominance does not mean arrogance, but a duty to restore Umno as the core party of government administration.

       “As the biggest party in the country, Umno’s victory is significant to ensure stability.

       “Of course, Umno is aware that there will be other parties contesting in the same constituency.

       “This is normal in a democracy – but don’t underestimate the strength of Umno and its grassroots,” he said in a statement yesterday.

       Ahmad Zahid, who is also Bagan Datuk MP, added that there would be no haggling or bargaining over the matter.

       “We will take back what is ours,” he said, apparently referring to the 13 parliamentary seats that were won under the Umno ticket but whose MPs then crossed over to Bersatu.

       On Thursday, Muhyiddin, who is also Perikatan chairman, said the coalition would move forward in discussions on seat allocations for GE15 without Umno.

       He also said negotiations for seats would be made among those in the Perikatan and that there had been no indication whether Umno wanted to discuss seat allocations.

       Perikatan comprises Bersatu, PAS, Sabah STAR, Gerakan and SAPP.

       In Seremban, Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said it made no sense for Umno to hold talks on seat allocations with Perikatan as it was not a member of the coalition.

       Mohamad, who is also Umno election director and Barisan Nasional election war-room chairman, said the party had months ago decided against working with Bersatu in the next general election.

       “We had never joined Perikatan, so why is there a need for Umno to be involved in seat negotiations with it?

       “Also, Umno will not sacrifice its traditional seats. We will defend them,” he said when contacted.