KUALA LUMPUR: Selangor DAP is vying for 18 seats in the upcoming state election, said a senior party leader.

Selangor DAP vice-chairman Ng Suee Lim told Free Malaysia Today (FMT) that the 18 seats that the party would contest included the 16 it won in the 2018 General Election.

It would also field candidates in two seats previously contested by Bersatu, before it left the Pakatan Harapan coalition.

Ng said DAP would also be eyeing the Teratai state seat, which was lost to Warisan after assemblyman Bryan Lai's defection and added that every member party in PH would be defending their seats.

"Even though there are 'frogs' and 'traitors', the principle is that we (PH parties) will defend our seats," FMT quoted him as saying.

The two extra seats DAP would be contesting are Malay-majority areas Semenyih and Selat Klang.

Semenyih is held by Barisan Nasional and Selat Klang is represented by Bersatu.

At present, PH has 40 seats in the state assembly, and also has the support of five BN state representatives, two from Parti Bangsa Malaysia and one from Warisan.

Ng also told FMT that he would not rule out the possibility of surrendering seats to BN, but would depend on the discussions on the matter.

"I cannot rule out anything but everything will be based on discussions.

"Of course with winnable seats, this is difficult to negotiate, we can't compromise. PKR and Amanah have the same principle," he added.

PKR deputy president Rafizi Ramli had previously said PH and BN could secure 53 of the 56 state seats if they joined forces.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2023/02/876411/dap-eyes-18-seats-selangor