Melaka polls: Anwar, Amirudin meet as Pakatan weighs BN pact

Communications Minister Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil and his deputy Teo Nie Ching attend a press conference during the Sponsorship Handover Session by Strategic Partners to Human Graphic Participants in conjunction with the 2026 National Day Celebration at Dataran Putrajaya in Putrajaya on August 24, 2026. — Bernama pic

By Malay Mail

First Published: Monday, 24 Aug 2026 11:03 AM MYT

PUTRAJAYA, Aug 24 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim met with Pakatan Harapan election director Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari over the weekend, with a potential electoral pact with Barisan Nasional for the next Melaka state polls believed to be high on the agenda.

PH communications director Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil confirmed the meeting took place, though he noted he was not briefed on the specifics.

Speaking to reporters after a National Day human graphic performance sponsorship ceremony in Putrajaya, Fahmi said coalition chiefs have held a flurry of discussions over the past two days, The Star reported.

“I understand they met yesterday, but I was not told what was discussed,” he said.

The prospect of a joint PH-BN ticket could mirror their cooperation during the six state elections in 2023.

However, with BN having partnered with Perikatan Nasional in more recent state contests in Negeri Sembilan and Johor, the eventual configuration of alliances in Melaka remains fluid.

Fahmi also referenced Anwar’s address at the PH congress in Melaka on Aug 16, where the PKR president called for reconciliation with veteran figures such as Tian Chua and Dr Xavier Jayakumar while reinforcing internal coalition unity.

Dr Xavier has since confirmed his return to PKR, while Tian Chua has welcomed the overture.

On the BN front, chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has maintained that the coalition will not enter any automatic arrangement with Perikatan, leaving the ultimate decision to Melaka Chief Minister and state Umno-Barisan chief Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.

PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang noted on Friday that Perikatan and Barisan were already in discussions over seat allocations in Melaka, though he cautioned that Perikatan is prepared to go its own way should Barisan opt for Pakatan instead.

Injecting fresh urgency into the race, PN chairman and Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar suggested at a PAS fundraiser yesterday that the Melaka polls could take place within two months.

He urged the coalition machinery to treat the 60-day window as a decisive battleground rather than a routine runway, keeping his reasons for the specific timeframe close to his chest.

Speaking alongside Hadi, Ahmad Samsuri affirmed that PN stands ready to join Melaka’s next administration regardless of the eventual political alignment, pledging equitable representation for the state’s diverse communities.