DAP intends to defend all 10 seats it won during the previous Johor state election, according to state party chairman Teo Nie Ching.
She noted that while the party is committed to its current holdings, discussions regarding seat allocations among Pakatan Harapan (PH) component parties are still ongoing.
Another round of negotiations is scheduled to take place next month to further refine these arrangements.
Teo explained that the party has already identified several additional constituencies where they either faced defeat or did not field candidates in the last polls.
Resolving overlapping claims
The chairman highlighted that there are currently some overlapping claims regarding specific seats. She expressed hope that these matters would be resolved during the upcoming meeting in May.
Teo shared these updates following the Johor DAP Youth convention held in Kulai.
In the March 2022 state election, the Barisan Nasional coalition, led by Umno, secured a significant victory by winning 40 out of the 56 available seats to form the state government.
In contrast, PH secured a total of 12 seats, with DAP taking 10, while PKR and Amanah each won a single seat.
Aspirations for female representation
Beyond seat counts, DAP is also focusing on candidate diversity. Teo stated that the party aims to field at least 30 percent women candidates in the next state election.
This move aligns with broader efforts to enhance female participation in the political process.
However, she clarified that such decisions are not made exclusively at the state level.
All potential candidates must receive endorsement from the central executive council and the candidate selection committee. The state chapter will submit its proposals to these bodies for final approval.
Current political landscape
Perikatan Nasional currently holds three seats in the state assembly, while Muda, which contested alongside PH in the last election, holds one. The term of the current Johor state government is expected to run until mid-2027.
As the parties prepare for the future, the focus remains on internal consensus within the PH coalition.
The upcoming discussions in May will be crucial in determining the final electoral strategy and ensuring a united front before the state goes to the polls again.
