AYER HITAM: Any discussion on state seat allocations will not take place until a state assembly has been dissolved, says Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong.

       Dr Wee, who is also MCA president, said that it has been the party's tradition to only open discussions for seat allocations once a state assembly or Parliament has been dissolved.

       "The state assembly is still functioning. We need to act in accordance to the reality at hand.

       "It has become our tradition to not discuss seat allocations before an assembly has been dissolved," the Transport Minister said after attending a road safety campaign at Dewan Muafakat Ayer Hitam on Saturday (Jan 22).

       He said this in response to questions on whether MCA had started discussing state seat allocations if an election were to be called in Johor.

       However, Dr Wee said that MCA, which is a component party under Barisan Nasional, is prepared to face both a state and a general election.

       "MCA is prepared to face any challenges, whether it is GE15 or a state election in any state, including Johor.

       "As a party, we need to be prepared. We have also set up a committee for GE 15 preparations. Hence, we have started work to strengthen our election machinery for the voting districts," he said.

       Talk of a state election has been rife after the death of Bersatu assemblyman Datuk Osman Sapian last month.

       At present, the state assembly is made up of Barisan Nasional, comprising Umno (14 seats) and MIC (two); Perikatan Nasional, consisting of Bersatu (12 including one deceased) and PAS (one); while Pakatan Harapan is represented by DAP (14), PKR (seven) and Amanah (six).