PETALING JAYA: Perikatan Nasional will move forward in discussions on seat allocation for the 15th General Election (GE) without Umno, says Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

       The Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia president said negotiations for parliamentary and state seats will be made among those in Perikatan.

       “We expect the general election to take place next year, and there is not a lot of time left. If we want to wait for Umno, it will detract us from our GE preparations.

       “Irrespective of what the other party is trying to do or want to decide later, that is their own decision, but as far as we are concerned, we will make our own decisions on the distribution of seats among Perikatan members,” he said during a press conference after a Perikatan meeting with all its component members in Jalan Dutamas yesterday evening.

       Muhyiddin said negotiations would start very soon, noting that the negotiations in Peninsular Malaysia would be among three parties – Bersatu, PAS and Gerakan.

       As for Sabah and Sarawak, there will be discussions with component party members there.

       Muhyiddin added that there had been no indication from Umno on whether they want to discuss seat allocations and the way forward.

       It is also unknown if Umno will remain with them.

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

       Separately, Muhyiddin also said Perikatan would be “launched” at the national level in November, with Selangor as the host.

       He also noted that the coalition would be meeting with the Prime Minister to give its views on the third deputy speaker’s position.

       Earlier in the day, Muhyiddin said the extensive repair work on the Seri Perdana Complex in Putrajaya was approved during his tenure as prime minister, after receiving a report from the Prime Minister’s Department regarding the physical damage to the building.

       In a statement on Facebook, Muhyiddin said the damage to the building involved roofing and plumbing systems, outdated lighting systems, as well as worn out floors, and added that the leaks caused damage to its built-in furniture, wooden flooring, wall panels and ceilings.

       “Besides that, I was also informed that the electrical wiring, lighting and mechanical equipment such as air conditioners were also in need of repair because they, too, were worn out.

       “According to experts, the wiring system of the Seri Perdana building, which is over 20 years old, can pose a risk of fire if not repaired immediately,” said the National Recovery Council chairman.

       Works on the Seri Perdana Complex started on March 29, and is expected to be completed by Dec 7.

       The official residence of the country’s prime minister was built in 1997, and was fully completed in 1999.

       “If not repaired immediately, this building will suffer severe damage, and the cost of repairs will definitely increase,” said Muhyiddin, who added that he had never occupied the official residence during his stint as prime minister.

       On Wednesday, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Special Functions) Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad, was quoted as saying that the repairs, including the replacement of electrical wiring and leaking roofs involving a total cost of RM38.5mil, was approved on March 19.