MELAKA: Perikatan Nasional is hoping to strengthen its political cooperation with Barisan Nasional beyond Melaka, with an eye on extending the alliance to Putrajaya.
Perikatan supreme council member and PAS vice-president Datuk Idris Ahmad said the success of the cooperation between the two coalitions in the Melaka polls should pave the way for a stronger partnership at the national level.
“It began to take root in Johor, blossomed in Negri Sembilan and has now borne fruit in Melaka. Hopefully, it will flourish in Putrajaya next,” he said when asked about the future of the political alliance.
Idris credited the cooperation between the grassroots machinery of both coalitions for their success in the state polls.
He said campaign workers from Perikatan and Barisan had demonstrated close cooperation, particularly when it came to mobilising voters.
“The cooperation was not something superficial. We could see how hard the grassroots worked,” he said.
Idris also thanked Melaka voters, particularly the young, whom he described as an important force for political change.
He expressed hope that the cooperation would continue to strengthen ahead of the next general election.
Meanwhile, PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang expressed gratitude and thanked Melaka voters for the mandate and confidence given to Perikatan and Barisan.
He said PAS recognised the responsibility that came with the trust placed in the coalition and would focus on delivering an agenda centred on welfare, integrity and fairness for all.
However, Umno supreme council member Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said political cooperation was not fixed and could take different forms depending on circumstances.
“Political cooperation is something that is constantly evolving. It is not stagnant or fixed. Different states may require different approaches,” she said when asked whether the Barisan-Perikatan partnership would continue following its electoral success in Melaka.
Azalina pointed out that Barisan had adopted different electoral strategies in Johor, Negri Sembilan and Melaka.
“This shows that Barisan Nasional’s politics today is more fluid,” she said.
She said any political partnership must be based on shared principles, including rejecting extremism and prioritising the people’s interests.
“Political ideology must focus on serving the people. Any partner must share that priority,” she added.
Barisan Nasional secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir said the people’s trust must be translated into effective administration, inclusive development and continuous efforts to safeguard their welfare.
He said the coalition also thanked its chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for his leadership in strengthening the coalition, as well as the leaders of other component parties, including MCA and MIC.
