Barisan Alternatif allies Keadilan and PAS are expected to be at loggerheads over several Malay-majority state seats in Kedah for the coming general election.

Kedah - the home state of outgoing Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad - is tipped to be the next Malay heartland which could fall under opposition control.

It is the o­nly ruling Barisan Nasional coalition-controlled state without a two-third majority. In the 1999 general election, BN lost eight out of the 15 parliamentary seats and 13 out of the 36 state seats.

However, Keadilan and PAS leaders were quick to play down their differences.

According to them, although there is overlapping interest in at least seven state seats, an "amicable and satisfactory" conclusion would be reached by both parties.

The Election Commission did not create new state seats in Kedah in its recent redelineation exercise since BN does not have the necessary two-third majority in the state assembly to approve such changes.

But the commission has shifted the boundaries of many existing constituencies - which does not require the state assembly's approval - turning them into mixed electorates.

This will potentially damage PAS' ambition to take over Kedah since its Islamic platform does not go down well with non-Muslim voters.

Three-cornered fight

The negotiating committees - set up by Keadilan and PAS to ensure that the opposition will have a o­ne-to-one fight with BN - have had four meetings, resulting in the number of contended states seats between the two parties knocked down from about 12 to seven.

The two are said to be eyeing any seven of these constituencies: - Padang Matsirat, Kuah, Kota Siputeh, Tunjang, Jitra, Tanjong Seri, Alor Merah, Kubang Rotan, Guar Chempedak, Bukit Selambau, Tanjong Dawai, Pantai Merdeka, Bayu, Kuala Ketil, Merbau Pulas and Bandar Baru.

When contacted, Keadilan Kedah state chief and party vice-president Saifuddin Nasution Ismail expressed confidence that the two parties would arrive at an agreeable solution o­n the remaining seven seats.

He ruled out the possibility of a three-cornered fight in the overlapping constituencies.

"We would try our best to accommodate each other," said Saifuddin ( left ) who is Lunas state assembly representative.

Leaders said that PAS has conceded seats with mixed constituencies and non-Malay majority to Keadilan.

Meanwhile, the Chinese-based DAP - which left the opposition front in 2001 following differences with PAS - is expected to negotiate with Keadilan for Derga, Kota Darul Aman, Sidam and Lunas, seats which the party had contested in past elections.

'Winability' factor

Saifuddin said the formula for seat allocation depended o­n the 'winability' factor of a party in a certain constituency.

"Other factors also come into play, such as the capability of the party's leadership in that area, the stature of the candidate, whether he or she is energetic, knowledgeable and good in networking," he added.

On DAP's interest in several seats, he said Keadilan was prepared to take the initiative to discuss the matter with its former ally.

When contacted, Phahrolrazi Zawawi - who helms PAS Kedah's working committee o­n seat allocation - also expressed confidence that his party would be able to resolve the issue with Keadilan.

The Padang Kundur state assembly representative said both parties have agreed o­n at least 40 percent of the issues discussed at their meetings.