Barisan won't work with Bersatu reps in forming new Melaka govt

MELAKA: Barisan Nasional has decided not to work with two Parti Pribumi Bersatu assemblymen in Melaka as it works to form a new coalition government.

Melaka Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said his side had not been given due respect by Bersatu.

"Hence, 13 Umno lawmakers, plus Rembia assemblyman (PKR), Datuk Muhammad Jailani Khamis, and Pengkalan Batu representative, Datuk Norhizam Hassan Baktee (DAP, ) will form a new coalition without Bersatu.

"We will submit a fresh statutory declaration to Yang-di Pertua Tun Dr Mohd Khalil as soon as possible," he said in a press conference here on Thursday (March 5).

Ab Rauf said with this development, the working relationship with Melaka Bersatu that was sealed on March 2 was no longer valid.

However, the decision to cut off Bersatu from Perikatan Nasional only applied to Melaka and would not effect the other states, he added.

"We are only objecting to the Bersatu choice of chief minister, who has disrespected us and we can no longer work with this assemblyman," he said.

Bersatu nominated Paya Rumput assemblyman Datuk Mohd Rafiq Naizamohideen as the chief minister, while Umno wants Lendu assemblyman Datuk Sulaiman Md Ali for the post.

Ab Rauf said they had 15 assemblymen, including one from PKR and DAP each, to form the new government without Bersatu.

Pakatan Harapan commands 11. Apart from Mohd Rafiq, Bersatu has Telok assemblyman Datuk Noor Effandi Ahmad.

Melaka has 28 state seats.