ALOR GAJAH: Talks over seat allocations for the Melaka polls between Barisan Nasional and MCA have taken a turn for the better, says Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.
The Melaka Barisan chairman said the earlier impasse between the coalition and the component party had been resolved but declined to disclose what was discussed or if an agreement had been reached.
"Let it be for now. For me, the discussion is positive," he told reporters after the launch of the Masjid Tanah parliamentary constituency's state election machinery at Kampung Pulau on Tuesday (Oct 27).
Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi officiated the launch.
Ab Rauf was responding to the dispute that saw MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, deputy president Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon and leaders from the party stage a walkout during Barisan's candidate announcement at the Melaka International Trade Centre in Ayer Keroh on Saturday (Oct 24).
Dr Wee had said that the walkout was intended to register the party's objection to decisions made without its agreement, adding that seats MCA previously contested should not be handed to other parties without negotiations.
Ab Rauf, who is also Melaka Barisan election director, said he had completed his part in the discussions and had no plans for another meeting with MCA.
"I'm done, it's only at the highest level that a decision will be made," he said.
However, he stopped short of confirming if MCA had accepted the proposed allocation.
MCA was allocated two of 21 seats Barisan is contesting, compared with seven seats in the previous state polls in 2021.
"I can't say whether it was agreed or not. What was discussed, I can't reveal yet," he said.
Earlier on Tuesday, Ahmad Zahid said talks between Barisan and MCA leaders had produced positive results and dismissed suggestions that the party would pull out of the state election.
In response, Dr Wee said it was premature to describe the outcome as positive, adding that MCA had yet to decide on its position in the polls.
He said the party had conveyed its dissatisfaction over the seat allocation and hoped a resolution could be reached soon.
Any decision on MCA's next step, he added, would be made collectively by its central leadership.
