PN suspension doesn't affect BN talks, says Takiyuddin

KOTA BARU: PN said the coalition's suspension did not affect its negotiations with BN for the Melaka election.

PN secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said negotiations between the two coalitions were ongoing and had progressed by more than 50 per cent.

However, he said the allocation of seats had yet to be decided and discussions were continuing.

"What I can stress is that the PN suspension does not affect negotiations between PN and BN. Discussions are continuing as usual.

"The number of seats we will receive has not been decided, but the negotiations and discussions are positive.

"We are positive and optimistic that we can implement the Muslim unity agenda in Melaka," he said.

He said this when met at the Bunut Payong Karnival Cakna Rakyat programme here today.

On Sept 23, the Registrar of Societies (RoS) suspended all PN activities under Subsection 13(2A) of the Societies Act 1966 following a notice issued to the coalition a day earlier. RoS said the notice was to allow PN to respond to a complaint lodged by Bersatu and was not a decision to cancel the coalition's registration.

Takiyuddin previously said PN expected to respond to RoS within two weeks and had requested a meeting with the RoS director-general.

Meanwhile, Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh, who is also Melaka BN chairman, said BN would begin negotiations with other parties for the state election after receiving the go-ahead from the Umno and BN leadership.