Party willing to negotiate with interested coalitions, says Tun Faisal
MELAKA: Bersatu is open to working with any political party that provides space for negotiations ahead of the Melaka election, says its information chief Datuk Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz (pic).
He said any potential collaboration must adhere to the party’s principles and prioritise the interests of the state and its people.
“As stated by party president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, we are open to working with any party that opens the door to negotiations, provided we do not compromise our principles,” he said after attending a closed-door pre-election dinner at a hotel here on Monday.
Tun Faisal clarified that the gathering was not a formal political negotiation, but an informal networking session to exchange views on political developments and experiences from other states, reported Sinar Harian.
“There were no formal negotiations,” he said, adding that he attended the event following an invitation from Melaka political leaders.
He said formal seat negotiations would be handled by the respective party leaderships, but Bersatu was prepared to hold talks with any interested coalition, including Barisan Nasional.
The dinner had sparked speculation about possible cooperation between Pakatan and Bersatu.
Among others who attended the dinner were Melaka PKR acting chief Adam Adli Abdul Halim, state Amanah chairman Datuk Ashraf Mukhlis Minghat and Melaka Bersatu election director Datuk Seri Mohamad Ali Mohamad.
Meanwhile, Melaka Pakatan deputy chairman Khoo Poay Tiong has ruled out an alliance with Bersatu in the coming polls, saying the dinner was merely a gesture of courtesy and not a step towards an electoral pact.
He added the coalition would retain its existing partners.
“There will be no external political parties joining the coalition during the Melaka polls.
“We will maintain the current partners in Pakatan,” he said at a press conference outside the Melaka Sentral bus terminal yesterday.
