Umno will decide its political alignment for the upcoming Malacca state election at its supreme council meeting on Aug 28, amid indications that the cooperation forged in Negeri Sembilan with Perikatan Nasional could extend to the southern state.
According to Harian Metro, Umno supreme council member Ahmad Maslan said the meeting, chaired by party president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, would discuss the best strategy to secure a BN victory in Malacca.
“So far, there has been no final decision on BN’s political direction in Malacca, including whether to cooperate with any party.
“What is happening at present is merely discussion in the media and statements by several parties on the possibility of a political alignment involving BN, Pakatan Harapan and PN.
“I see Aug 28 as an important date, and certainly all issues concerning Malacca, as well as matters related to the Johor and Negeri Sembilan elections, will be reported,” he was quoted as saying in Ayer Keroh today.
Ahmad, who is also deputy works minister, said he would raise the issue himself if no other supreme council member did so.
“If no one raises it, I will, because I have never attended an Umno supreme council meeting without offering my views and suggestions.
“As for what I will propose at the meeting, let that remain a secret,” he stated.
Prioritising BN’s victory
On that note, Ahmad stressed that party members should abide by whatever decision is reached, stressing that BN’s approach should reflect the political circumstances in each state.
“Whatever the decision may be, what matters is a BN victory in Malacca,” he said.
Separately, Astro Awani reported that Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said any discussions on cooperation with BN for the Malacca polls would be handled by the respective coalitions’ election committees.
Anwar also said Harapan election director Amirudin Shari and secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution Ismail would handle the negotiations.
“That is normally discussed by the election committee. “We have Amirudin and Saifuddin to discuss it,” the Harapan chairperson reportedly said today when asked whether talks between Harapan and BN had begun.
Saifuddin may meet Rauf
Saifuddin previously said he did not rule out meeting Malacca Chief Minister Rauf Yusoh to discuss cooperation ahead of the state election, possibly after the latter returns from a working visit to New Zealand.
Zahid has also said BN remains open to negotiations on seat allocations in Malacca, including possible seat swaps, provided the discussions are conducted honestly and sincerely.
The debate over BN’s Malacca strategy comes as some Umno leaders have openly floated a broader accommodation with PN following the recent state polls.
In an interview with Malaysiakini, Umno supreme council member Razlan Rafii argued that BN and PN should adopt a “give and take” approach in seat negotiations.
He suggested that BN be allowed to take the lead in southern states while PN could dominate in its northern and east coast strongholds.
Razlan said such an understanding could form the basis for cooperation in Malacca, with BN taking the lead in the south while PN could be given greater space in states such as Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Perlis.
The proposal reflected growing calls within Umno for the party to reassess its electoral alliances on a state-by-state basis following the Johor and Negeri Sembilan elections. - Mkini
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