MELAKA: Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has given Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh the mandate to negotiate cooperation with any party for the upcoming Melaka state election.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, said the chosen partner must be sincere and honest to ensure Barisan continues to lead the state administration next term.
“Datuk Rauf, I give you the mandate to negotiate well. Choose a loyal partner, one that can deliver victory for us.
"Choose a partner who is sincere and honest with us, one who speaks the same behind our backs as to our face, not a partner who says one thing in front and does another behind our back," he said.
Ahmad Zahid said this when speaking at the closing ceremony of the Melaka Youth Carnival 2026, which was also attended by Ab Rauf, at the Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC) parking grounds in Ayer Keroh here today.
At the same time, Ahmad Zahid reminded Melaka Barisan to defend the 21 state seats won by the coalition in the previous election.
In the 2021 Melaka state election, Barisan won 21 seats, while Pakatan Harapan won five and Perikatan Nasional secured two.
The current term of the Melaka State Assembly ends this December. - Bernama
