MELAKA: Barisan Nasional’s leadership will decide whether PAS can contest under its symbol in the Melaka polls, says Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.
The caretaker Melaka Chief Minister said negotiations over potential electoral alliances were ongoing, but any party seeking a pact must uphold the state’s harmony and support its continued growth.
“The final say on any alliance rests with the Barisan leadership.
“Any political party seeking a pact must safeguard the harmony of the state and support its rapid growth,” he told The Star on Saturday (Oct 3).
Ab Rauf was responding to PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang’s statement that the party was prepared to use the Barisan symbol in the state election.
He said his administration had served all segments of society over the past three years, regardless of ethnicity or background.
“I introduced Melaka Sayang Rakyat (MeSRa) to get to know the people at the grassroots level, and I have been impressed by how harmoniously the locals live together.
“Melaka is unique where the Chinese and Indian communities have been here since the era of the Melaka Sultanate and I want to preserve this harmony,” he said.
Speaking to reporters at Masjid Rusila in Marang, Terengganu, on Friday (Oct 2), Abdul Hadi said discussions with Barisan on cooperation and the use of its symbol were ongoing.
He said PAS was open to contesting under either its own symbol or Barisan’s, depending on the outcome of the talks.
On Sept 23, the Registrar of Societies (ROS) confirmed that all Perikatan Nasional activities had been suspended with immediate effect under Subsection 13(2A) of the Societies Act 1966, following a notice issued on Sept 22.
The suspension was intended to allow Perikatan to provide a detailed explanation concerning a complaint lodged by Bersatu with the department. It did not amount to the coalition’s deregistration.
