MELAKA: Barisan Nasional’s electoral strategy for the Melaka polls is set to become clearer after its leadership holds talks with interested political coalitions, including Perikatan Nasional, says state Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.
He added the negotiations could begin at any time now.
“I don’t know for now on the timing (of the meeting).
“I will disclose the progress and details to the media once the discussions have concluded,” he said after attending an appreciation event for Melaka government pensioners at a hotel here yesterday.
Ab Rauf said negotiations are still at a preliminary stage, as none of the interested parties had formally presented the terms of a possible electoral pact.
“As I have said before, such discussions should not be conducted through social media.
“They must take place face-to-face,” he said.
Ab Rauf, who is also the caretaker Chief Minister, said Barisan is prepared to hold talks with interested parties but stressed that the coalition’s 21 seats won in the 2021 state election were non-negotiable.
“We will not compromise on the 21 state seats won by Barisan in the 2021 Melaka election and intend to defend all of them,” he said.
Ab Rauf also said Barisan is willing to negotiate with Perikatan if the coalition expressed interest, despite two notices issued to it by the Registrar of Societies (ROS).
One notice sought an explanation as to why Perikatan should not be deregistered, while the other ordered the coalition to suspend all activities effective Wednesday.
The notices followed a complaint by Bersatu, which claimed it had been excluded from a Perikatan supreme council meeting on July 16.
Ab Rauf said Barisan would deal with the ROS matter accordingly if talks with Perikatan materialised.
“The ROS issue involving Perikatan will not affect the direction of Barisan’s preparations for the coming state election,” he added.
Asked whether Barisan could contest the election on its own, Ab Rauf said no decision had been reached.
“I will make an announcement once the negotiations have concluded and a decision has been made,” he added.
On Tuesday, Ab Rauf said Barisan would open negotiations with other political coalitions before deciding whether to enter into an electoral pact.
He said any potential partnership would be carefully evaluated following the dissolution of the Melaka legislative assembly, which took effect on Wednesday.
Ab Rauf added that the final decision would be guided by the interests of the people of Melaka and the need to ensure stable state administration rather than his personal political interests.
