BEIJING: Barisan Nasional will leave it to Perikatan Nasional’s component parties to discuss among themselves the allocation of seven seats in the Melaka state election, says Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
The Barisan chairman said since activities by Perikatan Nasional have been suspended, Barisan is negotiating with Perikatan core parties.
"Our principle is that the 21 seats we won are not seats that we intend to share.
"If there is to be any sharing, it may involve seat swaps, but those 21 seats will remain ours.
"Any negotiations will concern the seven remaining seats that are not held by Barisan.
"It will be up to the other parties to decide how they distribute those seats among themselves," he told reporters here on Thursday (Oct 15).
Ahmad Zahid was asked to comment on the latest update on the political cooperation for the upcoming Melaka polls.
On cooperation with Pakatan Harapan, Ahmad Zahid said the coalition appeared to have lost interest in working with Barisan, based on statements by its national and state leaders.
“We respect that position,” he said, adding that Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Utama Ab Rauf Yusoh had been entrusted with making the final decision on Barisan’s electoral cooperation.
Barisan will announce its decision ahead of nomination day on Oct 31, he said.
On Oct 13, Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said Barisan is in the final stages of seat negotiations for the Melaka state election, with the coalition aiming to defend the 21 state constituencies it secured in the previous polls.
The Election Commission (EC) has fixed Nov 14 as polling day for the 16th Melaka state election, with nominations to take place on Oct 31.
