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 election.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, said any partner chosen must be sincere and honest to ensure Barisan continues to lead the state administration for another 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.
He was speaking at the closing ceremony of the Melaka Youth Carnival 2026 at the Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC) in Ayer Keroh yesterday, which was also attended by Ab Rauf.
Ahmad Zahid also reminded Melaka Barisan to defend the 21 seats won by the coalition in the 2021 state election.
Barisan won 21 seats, Pakatan Harapan secured five and Perikatan Nasional two.
The current term of the Melaka state assembly ends in December, Bernama reported.
Meanwhile, Ahmad Zahid said Melaka’s low unemployment rate of 1.6% showed that the state government had been effective in planning for its people, particularly youths.
He said the figure was the result of efforts by Ab Rauf, state executive councillors, assemblymen and civil servants to create employment opportunities and engage youths and senior citizens.
He said this meant that state government, under Ab Rauf’s leadership, had planned for the future of the youths, provided ample job opportunities, and engaged youths and senior citizens.
“This leadership is crucial, and I congratulate them as achieving 1.6% is indeed a remarkable success,” he added
Ahmad Zahid said more than 56% of SPM school leavers in Melaka pursued Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), despite the state being smaller than its neighbours.
He said Melaka had about 293,000 youths aged between 15 and 30, representing a substantial potential workforce.
“If we include those aged 30 to 40, adding another 25%, nearly 53% of Melaka’s population is under 40 years old.
“This means the potential workforce in Melaka is immense because it relies on the youth labour force in this state ... there is much we can harness,” Ahmad Zahid said.
