Melaka BN postpones election alliance talks

Barisan Nasional (BN) has deferred negotiations on an alliance for the Melaka polls to a later date, says state BN chief Ab Rauf Yusoh.

The chief minister said BN was open to discussions with all interested parties, but talks had to be delayed because they could not find a suitable date to meet.

BN was expected to commence talks this week, but Rauf said it was more likely that the coalition would meet prospective partners next week, Utusan Malaysia reported.

“Since the Umno president (Ahmad Zahid Hamidi) has given me the authority to negotiate with any party to determine our strategic partner for the Melaka polls, we are working on setting a suitable date for discussions,” he said.

Rauf said he had no preference for allies, but wanted to ensure that any alliance would yield more benefits than losses for BN.

BN has not committed to a pact for the Melaka polls, despite coalition chairman Zahid initially saying they would join forces with Perikatan Nasional after their alliance secured a two-thirds majority in the Negeri Sembilan election.