Penang Umno Liaison chairman Zainal Abidin Osman said the main problem they would face would be on the distribution of seats, which would result in infighting.

However, he cautioned Penang Umno members not to regard the situation as an advantage to them.

“Instead, Umno must build its own strength to win,” he told reporters after a briefing for Penang Umno leaders here today.

He said preparations were being made by Penang Umno for the coming general election, with programmes being carried out involving the local community and members at the grassroots level.

In another development, Zainal Abidin said an environmental impact assessment should be conducted before permission could be given to the Penang government to carry out a sea reclamation project.

“We sympathise with the fishermen in the area and will do what we can to help them,” he said, adding that implementation of the project would adversely affect the fishermen’s income.