KOTA TINGGI: Barisan Nasional is open to discussions on cooperation with any political party for the Melaka election, including parties interested in using the coalition’s logo, says Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin.
The Umno vice-president said any such arrangement, however, must be in line with Barisan’s policy and decisions by its top leadership.
“I am answering in general terms. If, for example, any party is prepared to contest using the Barisan logo, we would very much welcome it.
“But this is subject to the fundamental decisions (of the leadership),” he told a press conference after attending the groundbreaking ceremony for an additional building at the Islamic Orphans’ Hostel, Bernama reported.
The 28-seat Melaka state assembly was dissolved on Sept 23, paving the way for the 16th state election.
The Election Commission will hold a special meeting on Oct 7 to discuss arrangements for the election, including key dates for nomination and polling.
Meanwhile, Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan said Barisan is targeting more than 21 seats in the Melaka polls, citing the state government’s performance and public response to its programmes.
Ahmad, who is also Umno War Room secretariat chief, said the confidence also took into account the possibility of cooperation with PAS, which is still being negotiated.
“We are confident of winning 21 or more seats based on the performance of the Melaka state government, which has been quite good in the eyes of the people,” he was quoted as saying by Sinar Harian.
“The exco programmes with the people, the Melaka Sayang Rakyat programme and the Wakil Rakyat Untuk Rakyat programme have all helped resolve people’s problems effectively,” he added.
He said state leaders had also held open days in all 28 constituencies, with exco members and government officers on the ground to address public concerns.
Ahmad said he had made several visits to Melaka and held discussions with the state’s War Room.
