MELAKA: The Melaka polls could serve as a testing ground for future political alliances, says PKR deputy secretary-general Aidi Amin Yazid.
He said clashes between parties in some constituencies, coupled with apparent concessions that have resulted in straight fights elsewhere, could offer clues to emerging political understandings.
“The Melaka polls mark an opportunity to test and observe existing as well as future working relationships, as seen in clashes in certain seats or seats conveniently ‘handed over’ for straight two-cornered fights,” he said in an interview on Sunday (Nov 1).
Aidi suggested that cooperation at the federal level did not necessarily prevent Barisan Nasional from exploring cooperation with Perikatan Nasional at the state level.
However, he drew a distinction between such political arrangements and the confidence and supply agreement (CSA) signed between the Madani government and 13 opposition and independent MPs.
He said the CSA dealt with constituency development allocations and parliamentary support rather than establishing an electoral alliance between Bersatu and Pakatan Harapan.
“Malaysians can always read between the lines,” he said.
Aidi said the CSA covered support for Budget 2027 and key parliamentary matters, alongside equal constituency development allocations and proposed institutional reforms.
“These include limiting the Prime Minister’s tenure to two terms and separating the roles of the Attorney General and Public Prosecutor,” he said.
He said successive by-elections had also offered lessons for political parties reassessing their alliances and electoral strategies.
Aidi cautioned that relying on vote splitting and assessments of voter sentiment based on questionable feedback could lead to misguided decisions and compromises on political principles.
Turning to Pakatan’s preparations for the Melaka polls, he warned that strong recognition of a political brand did not automatically translate into voter support.
He said the coalition needed to improve its campaign operations and management of resources, which he viewed as weaknesses compared with Barisan and Perikatan.
“We would rather pay for motorcycle convoys than remunerate or incentivise human capital,” he said.
Aidi called for greater investment in those carrying out the coalition’s work, alongside improvements in how its election machinery was organised and managed.
“Pakatan may be remembered as a brand that rejuvenated the blueprint for nation-building, but perhaps the revitalisation of human resources and management is needed to make its brand advocacy stand out again for GE16,” he said.
Assessing the early campaign, Aidi said he believed many voters were satisfied with Melaka’s development under caretaker Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.
He also praised Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s efforts to address longstanding issues.
“Nevertheless, my assessment is that Pakatan needs more effective machinery to translate recognition of its leadership and policies into electoral support,” he said.
The CSA was signed on Oct 29 by six Bersatu MPs, six former Bersatu MPs who were sacked in 2024 after declaring support for Anwar, and Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman.
Anwar has said constituency development allocations under the agreement would be disbursed once Budget 2027 is passed by Parliament.
The Budget passed the policy stage on Oct 29 and is now undergoing committee-stage scrutiny, with full passage expected by the end of the year.
