‘Coalition politics in Melaka may be a possibility’

KUALA LUMPUR: Coalition politics in Melaka may be unavoidable if no single coalition emerges with a significant majority, after this Saturday’s state election, said Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

As such, Perikatan Nasional will take on a wait-and-see approach when it comes to whether it will team up with others to form the next Melaka government, said Muhyiddin, who is the Perikatan chairman.

Muhyiddin said everyone is currently focused on their final push in the state polls, with only a few days left to campaign for support.

“I want to see the results of the election first, and then strategise the party’s path after that.

“I am not saying Perikatan will team up with other parties, nor am I saying that it will not, so don’t misconstrue this.

“I am non-committal,” said Muhyiddin at a press conference here yesterday, where the Bersatu president said Melakans are well aware that the stake of this Saturday’s election is high.

“The Melaka people know this will decide their new government, unlike a by-election where only one representative is elected.

“But what can you do if the seats are won by a mixture of parties? I guess that is a question to be answered only after the election,” said Muhyiddin, who is also the National Recovery Council chairman, after chairing a roundtable with the British Malaysian Chamber of Commerce here.

He added that everyone is on overdrive now given that there are only a few days left before polling.

“More importantly, we need to keep pushing. In the end, it is the voters who decide which of the competing parties they prefer to govern them.

“Of course, for me, I hope they choose Perikatan,” said Muhyiddin.

Previously, Barisan Nasional election director for Melaka, Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, said his coalition will not rule out collaborating with others to form a government.

While Perikatan and Barisan are partners in the federal government, both coalitions are competing against each other in Melaka, where 28 state seats are being contested.