BAGAN DATUK: Barisan Nasional is prepared to invite Perikatan Nasional to join it in forming the state government if it wins the 16th Melaka State Election on Nov 14.
Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the approach was taken to respect the people's mandate and the political understanding reached between the two coalitions, similar to what had previously been implemented in Negri Sembilan.
"As happened in Negri Sembilan, when the government was formed, we honoured the appointments to ensure that they (Perikatan) were part of the government. The same happened in Melaka when the previous Unity Government was formed, with our partners in Pakatan Harapan also appointed as state executive councillors (exco) and deputy exco members, but they subsequently decided to leave.
"So we will do the same for Perikatan assemblymen who win their respective seats and, God willing, if we form the government, we will also invite them to be part of the state government," he told a press conference after attending the 2026 Deepavali Santunan Kasih event at Dewan UMNO Bagan Datuk here on Sunday (Nov 1).
In this election, Barisan is contesting 23 of the 28 seats up for grabs, while Perikatan is contesting five seats.
The Election Commission has set Nov 14 as polling day for the Melaka state election, while early voting will take place on Nov 10.
For the latest news on the 16th Melaka state election, visit https://election.bernama.com/prn/melaka/2026. - Bernama
