I’m prepared to negotiate with any party for state polls, says Melaka CM

 Melaka Barisan Nasional chairman Ab Rauf Yusoh says the coalition welcomes talks with any party under the BN Plus formula.

Melaka BN chairman and chief minister Ab Rauf Yusof said he is ready for discussions though ‘negotiations do not necessarily end with an agreement’. (Facebook pic)

MELAKA:

Barisan Nasional is open to cooperating with any party under a BN Plus formula for the upcoming state election, its Melaka chairman and chief minister, Ab Rauf Yusoh, said.

Rauf said the party welcomed discussions with any political party interested in working together for the state polls.

“Anyone is welcome to come and negotiate, but negotiations do not necessarily end with an agreement because everything depends on each party’s respective strengths.

“So, we are not bound by any arrangement that has yet to be formally established as a final coalition, but I am open to everyone who wishes to negotiate with me,” he said after an event here today.

Barisan Nasional chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was reported as saying yesterday the successful cooperation between the coalition and Perikatan Nasional in forming the Negeri Sembilan government would spur them to maintain its winning momentum in the Melaka polls.

Rauf also congratulated Juasseh assemblyman Ismail Lasim on his appointment as the new Negeri Sembilan menteri besar.

He hoped that Ismail would fulfil his responsibilities and deliver on the promises made in the election manifesto.

Ismail retained the Juasseh seat with a 4,091-vote majority after securing 6,907 votes in the state election, defeating Pakatan Harapan candidate Aidil Abdullah, who polled 2,816 votes, and Bersatu’s Zuhaimi Yusof, who garnered 506 votes.

The election saw BN win 18 state seats and PN seven, enabling BN and PN to form the new state government. - FMT