MELAKA: Barisan Nasional will open negotiations with other political coalitions before deciding whether to pursue an electoral pact for the upcoming state election, says state chief Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.
He said discussions would be held with the parties concerned to assess possible forms of political cooperation following the dissolution of the Melaka Legislative Assembly, which takes effect today.
“Let us settle the dissolution of the state assembly first and then discuss cooperation.
“I will evaluate the discussions as well as the proposals put forward,” he said yesterday.
Ab Rauf said any decision on political cooperation would be guided by the interests of the people of Melaka and the future administration of the state, rather than by his personal interests.
“The priority is not what benefits me, but how we can administer the state in the interests of the people,” he said.
Asked whether Barisan would contest the election on its own, Ab Rauf said no decision had been reached.
“I will announce the outcome once negotiations have concluded and a decision has been made,” he said.
On whether incumbents from Barisan would be retained, Ab Rauf said it would be announced later.
“I don’t want to answer that now; let’s wait. I can’t reveal that because we will take many factors into account. I will announce that later when we have finalised all discussions,” he said.
