Adam Adli: PH, Bersatu may clash in Melaka polls

KUALA LUMPUR: Pakatan Harapan has not ruled out clashes with Bersatu in the Melaka election, despite an understanding between the two sides.

Melaka PKR acting state chairman Adam Adli Abd Halim said clashes could occur in seats beyond the seven PH has decided not to contest.

Adam Adli, who is also PKR communications director, said the coalition's decision to contest only 21 of the 28 state legislative assembly seats did not mean it deliberately vacated the remaining seven to make way for Bersatu.

"When Bersatu expressed its intention to contest in Melaka, there could be clashes between PH and the party. We decided to contest 21 seats because that matches our current capability.

"We do not want to send the wrong message, as if we deliberately vacated the seven seats for Bersatu, but it is up to them. In fact, if there are overlapping seats between PH and Bersatu, there is no problem.

"I personally expect clashes, but if Bersatu wants to play safe, they can just take those seven seats," he said in an interview with Berita Harian.

Earlier, PH announced it would contest 21 seats in the Melaka election, with PKR fielding candidates in nine seats, DAP in seven, and Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) in five.

PKR's nine state seats are Tanjung Bidara, Rembia, Asahan, Paya Rumput, Kelebang, Machap Jaya, Ayer Molek, Rim, and Serkam. DAP will contest Ayer Keroh, Kesidang, Kota Laksamana, Banda Hilir, Gadek, Duyong, and Pengkalan Batu, while Amanah will contest Kuala Linggi, Durian Tunggal, Bukit Katil, Telok Mas, and Merlimau.

The seven seats not contested by PH are Ayer Limau, Lendu, Taboh Naning, Sungai Udang, Pantai Kundor, Duyong, and Bemban.

Adam Adli, who is also the Deputy Higher Education Minister, said PH's decision to contest only 21 seats was not influenced by external parties or an electoral pact, as previously speculated.

He said Bersatu remained free to determine how many seats it wanted to contest, as no electoral pact had been established between both parties.

He said that if PH contested a seat and Bersatu also decided to field a candidate there, it was up to the party in the spirit of democracy.

"For these remaining seven seats, we do not have an electoral pact. We merely asked each other if there were seats they wished to contest. For PH, the principle is simple: no seat should go uncontested.

"That means no candidate should win uncontested. Otherwise, we disrupt the entire electoral process in this state election," he said.

He said it was crucial for every state seat to see at least a straight fight to give voters an opportunity to make a choice.

Meanwhile, a Bersatu source also indicated the possibility of seat clashes with PH, but declined to elaborate.