Don’t wait too long to call for Melaka polls, Tok Mat tells Rauf

 The Umno No 2 also advises the chief minister to avoid falling out with other parties if negotiations fail to result in an electoral pact.

Melaka chief minister Ab Rauf Yusoh said he welcomes negotiations with all parties after the state assembly is dissolved.

KUALA LUMPUR:

Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan has called on Melaka chief minister Ab Rauf Yusoh to dissolve the state assembly sooner rather than later to make way for the next state election.

Mohamad said Umno’s youth, women and young women’s wings were already prepared to help with Barisan Nasional’s election campaign in Melaka.

“Melaka will hold its state election anytime now. It’s up to Rauf (to dissolve the state assembly).

“Don’t wait too long … Rauf, we are ready. We will come to help Melaka (Umno),” he said when officiating the general assemblies of the Umno wings here tonight.

Mohamad, the BN deputy chairman, also advised Rauf to avoid falling out with other parties if negotiations fail to result in an electoral pact for the Melaka election.

“May Umno and BN continue their momentum of election success at the state level, and carry this ‘blue wave’ to the 16th general election,” he said.

Separately, Rauf reiterated that Melaka BN was open to talks with any potential strategic partner, with a final decision to be made only when the time comes.

He said he welcomes negotiations with all parties after the state assembly is dissolved.

The mandate of the current Melaka government expires on Dec 31, after which a state election must be held within 60 days.

On Monday, Rauf hinted that the state assembly could be dissolved by the end of this month, saying the dissolution could come in “two more Fridays”. - FMT