According to a report by Kosmo, Ng said 20 local councillor seats are available to BN and its component parties, even though 11 local authorities have completed their swearing-in ceremonies.

“These vacancies do not necessarily need to be filled immediately. They (BN) can fill them in the future,” Ng said.

Previously, Selangor BN chairman Megat Zulkarnain Omardin said Selangor Umno had decided to hand back the 20 posts to Pakatan Harapan, but denied doing so as a sign of protest.

However, he said Umno wanted all 373 village development and security committee chairman posts. This would enable the party to care for the rural areas while PH could oversee the urban areas, he added.

Malaysiakini recently reported that the state government was unable to finalise the appointment of local councillors as Umno had refused to accept Selangor menteri besar Amirudin Shari’s offer.

Selangor Umno had asked for 24 local council posts. PH attempted to negotiate it down to 20, but this has been rejected so far.

In response, Ng said the Selangor government will work within its “big family” concept to amicably solve Umno’s demand for grassroots positions.