PN chair hints at Malacca polls in 2 months, Hadi says seat talks with BN ongoing

Perikatan Nasional chairperson Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar has hinted that the Malacca state election could be held in less than two months, as PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang revealed that talks on possible cooperation with BN have begun.

Speaking at a Malacca PAS charity dinner in Ayer Keroh, Samsuri said 60 days is not a long time, signalling that the party’s machinery should prepare for polls in the near term.

“There is a reason why I mentioned two months, but there is no need to explain it here.

“Do not see these 60 days as a long period. Instead, see these 60 days as the period that will determine the form of government that will administer the state of Malacca,” Samsuri (above) said, as quoted by Sinar Harian.

Meanwhile, Hadi, at a press conference after the dinner yesterday, said discussions with other parties on possible cooperation for the election were already underway.

“Preparations are already underway. Discussions with parties on possible cooperation have begun.

“No decision has been made yet, and we will continue the discussions. We do not know when the election will be held, but we will continue discussing cooperation,” he said.

The Marang MP said the talks, involving the parties’ central leadership, began three days ago.

‘Talks still early, but encouraging’

Asked about their progress, Hadi said they have been encouraging so far.

“Alhamdulillah, very positively. We are drawing inspiration from what worked successfully in Johor and Negeri Sembilan,” he said.

However, he stopped short of putting a figure on the likelihood of BN-PN cooperation in Malacca, saying negotiations remained at a preliminary stage.

“It is still at an early stage. At this early stage, the progress has been very good,” he said.

Asked about PAS’ strategy for Malacca following the arrangements in Johor and Negeri Sembilan, Hadi said it was still too early to spell out the details.

“The whistle to start the game has not been blown yet,” he said.

Hadi’s remarks come as BN has yet to finalise whether it will cooperate with PN, Pakatan Harapan, or contest under another arrangement in Malacca.

Yesterday, BN chairperson Ahmad Zahid Hamidi reportedly said the coalition was conducting a detailed study before deciding on any electoral cooperation, expected to be up for discussion by the Umno supreme council on Thursday, citing mixed sentiment among the grassroots.

Earlier today, Harapan communications director Fahmi Fadzil confirmed that the coalition’s election director, Amirudin Shari, had been tasked by chairperson Anwar Ibrahim during a meeting with leading seat negotiations ahead of the state polls.

Diversity

Samsuri, who is also PAS vice-president and Terengganu menteri besar, said PN was committed to playing a role in Malacca’s administration regardless of how the state’s political situation develops.

“Whatever happens in Malacca, regardless of who is at the helm of the state leadership, we are expressing a determination and commitment within PAS and PN to be involved in administering and governing Malacca.

“Of course, we recognise the reality of the diversity that exists, and we will administer Malacca in the context of its diverse communities,” he said.

He added that the interests of Malacca’s various communities must be protected fairly to ensure the state continues to prosper.

“Certainly, the interests of all parties will be considered and safeguarded with complete fairness.

“That will ensure that Malacca becomes an example of a peaceful, prosperous, and harmonious state,” he said.

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