BN-PN pact expected in Melaka even as Umno delays talks

Analysts expect Umno and PAS to forge an electoral pact for the upcoming Melaka polls, with both parties seen as having little appetite to compete against each other for Malay-majority seats.

Despite Umno stalling on announcing its ally, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia’s Mazlan Ali said all signs point to a direct arrangement with PAS.

“At the recent Umno general assembly, PAS was invited, not (Perikatan Nasional’s other component party,) Wawasan,” he told FMT.

Mazlan said PAS was likely to cut a deal with Umno before allocating seats between components parties in PN, which the Islamic party chairs.

He said this would spare Umno from having to accommodate too many parties in seat negotiations, leaving PAS to deal with that task instead.

Barisan Nasional chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi previously said formal negotiations with parties will only begin after the state assembly is dissolved. The Melaka state assembly was dissolved on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Melaka BN chief Ab Rauf Yusoh sidestepped questions on possible election pacts, saying the coalition needed time to “settle” the dissolution first.

Mazlan Ali of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara said Umno recognises that going solo would be tougher for BN, as competing with PAS would complicate its path to victory in Malay-majority seats.

Even Rauf’s position could be at risk, they said, as he only secured his Tanjung Bidara seat in 2021 with a slim 364-vote majority in a three-cornered contest against PN and Pakatan Harapan.

“Umno needs to find a partner. Umno knows going solo would be difficult because, if it does, it will have to face PAS in most seats, especially in Malay-majority constituencies,” said Azmi.

BN formed the Melaka government after winning 21 of 28 seats in the 2021 state polls. PH won five while PN secured two, both through Bersatu.

BN has stated its intention to defend all 21 seats won in 2021, which means potential partners may only have seven to contest.

PN defers seat allocation

Separately, PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man told FMT that the Islamic party will hold discussions with Umno in the near future.

PN’s seat allocations will be decided after PAS wraps up talks with Umno, he added.

“PAS has instructed its entire machinery to be ready in the state seats it expects to contest.

“We are open to cooperation with Umno and hope that the cooperation seen in the recent Negeri Sembilan state election can continue” said Tuan Ibrahim.

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