‘Disagreement’ over Melaka seats casts doubt on Umno-PAS pact in GE16

PAS’s denial that seat negotiations with Barisan Nasional for the Melaka state election have been finalised raises doubts among analysts over the possible cooperation between the two in the 16th general election (GE16).

Syaza Shukri of International Islamic University Malaysia said Melaka was supposed to be a litmus test for cooperation between the coalition and the Islamic party.

“All is definitely not well. The fact that PAS has publicly said the seat distribution has not been finalised speaks volumes.

“Melaka is supposed to be the ‘experiment’ to gauge if they can work together or not. So this is not a good sign,” she told FMT.

On Wednesday, BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the coalition would contest 21 of Melaka’s 28 state seats, while PAS and its allies would vie for the remaining seven.

However, PAS secretary-general Takiyuddin Hassan said the seat distribution had yet to be finalised, although he maintained that cooperation between the parties was certain.

Syaza said PAS’s decision to publicly challenge the arrangement was significant, particularly as Zahid was unlikely to backtrack.

“BN will not back down, PAS doesn’t seem happy with only seven.”

She said BN and PAS could end up facing off in some seats while maintaining cordial relations and focusing their attacks on Pakatan Harapan, similar to their approach in Johor.

Similarly, Azmi Hassan of Nusantara Academy said Melaka would be a crucial test for BN-PAS cooperation ahead of GE16, unlike Johor and Negeri Sembilan, where he believed cooperation was easier.

He said the problem in Melaka was not just the number of seats offered to PAS and Wawasan, but their chances of winning them.

Based on Zahid’s remarks, PAS and Wawasan would contest four DAP strongholds – Kota Laksamana, Kesidang, Bandar Hilir and Ayer Keroh.

“Wresting those seats from DAP would be a formidable challenge,” Azmi said.

Of the remaining three seats, Bukit Katil was represented by former chief minister Adly Zahari for two terms while Sungai Udang and Bemban seats were won by Bersatu in the last state election.

Mazlan Ali of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia believed that forming an alliance for GE16 would be challenging for Umno and PAS based on the current impasse in seat negotiations for the Melaka polls.

He said if PAS and Umno could not compromise in Melaka, it would also be difficult for the two parties to agree on seats in states led by the Islamic party.

Still, Mazlan felt that BN would want to work with PAS in Melaka, even though the coalition could win it on its own.

“BN wants to minimise the impact of split votes in Malay-majority areas.”

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