Malacca polls: Umno, BN to decide on political cooperation - Zahid

Umno and BN’s cooperation with other parties in the Malacca snap polls will be decided after three levels of meetings scheduled next week.

Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (above) said the matter would be discussed at meetings involving the political bureau, Umno supreme council and BN supreme council.

He said Umno was open to views from various parties, but all decisions would be made collectively when the time came.

"The Malacca state election will certainly see a new landscape based on the current political situation,” he told reporters after launching the state Umno machinery to face election in Alor Gajah today.

Also present were state Umno liaison committee chairperson Ab Rauf Yusoh, Umno secretary-general Ahmad Maslan; Wanita Umno chief Noraini Ahmad, and Puteri Umno chief Zahida Zarik Khan.

Looking for winnable candidates

According to Zahid, all the state constituencies are hot seats, and the party is currently focusing on looking for winnable candidates in the polls.

He said this was being done based on scientific analysis and statistical data from the 13th and 14th general elections as well as projections made by the party for the state.

"We will place our election machinery in every seat contested by Umno and BN," he said, adding that the party would work hard for the victory of BN candidates.

Yesterday, Election Commission (EC) chairperson Abdul Ghani Salleh announced that the state election would be held on Nov 20, with the nomination of candidates on Nov 8 and early voting on Nov 16.

The election is being held following the dissolution of the state assembly after the BN-led state government lost its majority.

- Bernama