MELAKA: The state Barisan Nasional has never shared power with DAP and the party’s assemblymen’s role in the state administration is merely mirroring the unity government concept in Putrajaya, says Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.
He said Barisan had formed the state government on its own following the 2021 Melaka election, and had never entered into any formal agreement with another political coalition to govern the state.
“After the last state election, we did not establish the administration with any other party to support the formation of the state government.
“I adopted the spirit of understanding practised in Putrajaya and applied it here without forming a government with any other party to support the Barisan’s administration.
“What I have always emphasised is that their position was merely to complement the unity arrangement practised in Putrajaya,” he told reporters at Seri Negeri here yesterday.
He was responding to the state DAP’s decision to withdraw from the state administration after opposing a proposed amendment to the Melaka constitution to allow the appointment of up to seven appointed state assemblymen.
The withdrawal involves four DAP assemblymen who relinquished their positions in the state administration in protest against the constitutional amendment.
Bukit Katil assemblyman Adly Zahari of Amanah also objected to a Bill to amend the state constitution to pave the way for the appointment of up to seven nominated state assemblymen.
He is also the state Pakatan Harapan chairman.
The Melaka State Constitution (Amendment) Bill 2026 was passed with the support of 23 assemblymen, while five voted against it.
Ab Rauf, who is also Melaka Barisan chairman, said the state administration had functioned harmoniously throughout the cooperation despite the absence of any formal agreement between Barisan and Pakatan.
“We have successfully governed the state in harmony and without prejudice until today.
“They (DAP) themselves can judge how well we have managed the state government and demonstrated the credibility of an administration committed to developing Melaka,” he added.
Ab Rauf said he respected DAP’s stand and would not regard the difference in opinion as an act of hostility.
“I cannot stop their party from making that decision because there was never any formal agreement governing their participation in this administration,” he added.
He said the amendment was aimed at strengthening representation in the state assembly by allowing the appointment of individuals with expertise and experience in fields such as law, economics, education, investment, technology and state development to contribute directly to policy-making and legislative debates.
“The Bill will also create opportunities for under-represented groups.
“The appointments of assemblymen can enhance the participation of women, youth, the Orang Asli, minority communities, professionals and industry representatives who may not succeed through the electoral process but can contribute meaningfully to the state’s development,” he explained.
Later, Melaka DAP chairman Khoo Poay Tiong said all four assemblymen from the party as well as Adly will go solo in the upcoming state polls and sit on the Opposition bench when the sMelaka State Assembly reconvenes today.
“Our decision was made because the state assembly passed the Constitution of the State of Melaka (Amendment) Enactment 2026, which allows for the appointment of unelected state assemblymen and is contrary to democratic principles,” he added.
Pakatan has five assemblymen, while Barisan has 21 and Perikatan Nasional has two.
