SHAH ALAM: The Selangor DAP will ask for additional seats at the state and parliamentary levels in the next general election.

       Incumbent state chief Gobind Singh Deo said the request will be made given the increase in the number of seats at Pakatan Harapan's disposal.

       "When you look at the earlier combination it was the seats that were divided among the component parties of Pakatan Harapan which included Bersatu," said Gobind when approached by journalists.

       He said as the demographics have now changed with Bersatu no longer in the picture, there was a need for another look at the seats available in the next general election.

       The DAP intended to vie for the Semenyih and Selat Kelang state seats and the Tanjong Karang parliamentary seat.

       Semenyih and Tanjong Karang were currently held by Umno while Selat Kelang's incumbent was from Bersatu.

       To a question if the request for the three "traditionally" Malay seats meant there was an increase in Malays joining the party, Gobind said the numbers were promising.

       "It is very good as well as promising and there is an increase.

       "It has been happening a while now as more and more people are coming in due to the Malaysian approach we take as a party representing everyone," said Gobind.

       According to Gobind, DAP had been a party constantly championing the rights of all races and this has helped it secure support and membership from people from different backgrounds, cultures, religions and races.

       He said it was important to the DAP to handle and understand the issues and problems faced by people from a Malaysian perspective.

       Earlier in his speech, Gobind said the DAP was strong because of the party's varied membership.

       On another matter, Gobind had said the DAP viewed seriously elected representatives jumping parties.

       "The best way to prevent this is to ensure there are laws to prevent party hopping.

       "There is a need for constitutional amendments to solve the problem," he added.

       He said the DAP was prepared to support constitutional amendments to ensure party hopping stopped.

       Meanwhile, party secretary-general Lim Guan Eng reminded party members in his speech to not forget the contributions made by party veterans.

       "This must be remembered by all, especially young members, we must always remember that without the contribution and sacrifices by the party veterans - we wouldn't be here," said Lim.