Parties’ machinery to brace for possible polls in Melaka

PUTRAJAYA: While Umno and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia have directed their party machinery to gear up for a possible state election for Melaka, both however, have yet to affirm the issue of seat distribution.

The two parties held their respective supreme council meetings on Thursday night and discussed, among others things, preparations should an election be called.

The Umno supreme council meeting, chaired by party president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, was held at Menara Dato Onn while Bersatu’s was led by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin at an undisclosed venue.

Umno secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said that seat allocation for the upcoming Melaka polls would be decided in a separate meeting.

“Any decision on cooperation with PAS for the polls will also be discussed later.

“Regardless of Monday’s decision by the Election Commission, Umno has instructed all party machinery to prepare because even if the polls get delayed, it will eventually be held,” he said.

Bersatu, meanwhile, said negotiations on seat distribution among Perikatan Nasional component parties would be finalised soon.

Its secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin said Perikatan component parties would intensify the existing outreach programmes in all 28 constituencies in the state.

“Bersatu is ready to face the Melaka election; thorough preparations are being made,” he said.

An interesting observation will be whether PAS will choose to work with Umno or Bersatu for the state election.

Umno and PAS formed a political pact under Muafakat Nasional; at the same time, PAS is a member of Perikatan.

Yesterday, top Bersatu leaders flew to Kuala Terengganu to meet up with PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang.

In a posting on his social media page, Hamzah uploaded a photo of him as well as Bersatu deputy president Datuk Seri Ahmad Faizal Azumu, vice-president Datuk Seri Ronald Kiandee and Melaka Bersatu chief Datuk Mohd Rafiq Naizamohideen with Abdul Hadi.

Also present were PAS vice-president and Terengganu Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar and secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan.

Hamzah said he received a “beautiful answer” from Abdul Hadi when asked if the latter was in good health.

“Tok Guru responded: I cannot not be well. Are we not going to war?” said Hamzah.

Earlier this month, four Melaka assemblymen declared they had lost confidence in Datuk Sulaiman Md Ali as the chief minister, leaving him without a majority.