BN’s door still open, PH told after rejecting Melaka polls pact

Barisan Nasional (BN) remains open to negotiations with Pakatan Harapan (PH) on a pact for the Melaka polls, despite a coalition leader saying yesterday that an alliance was off the table.

Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said PH could not be forced to agree on an alliance but BN’s doors were open to all parties for the state election.

“If they don’t want to cooperate with us, that’s their right. We can’t force them. But our doors are always open,” he told reporters on the sidelines of an event here.

Asyraf added that BN was in discussions with possible allies, and that no formal alliance had been formed yet.

“So let’s wait. The Election Commission hasn’t even announced the dates (for the state election).”

Yesterday, Amanah communications director Khalid Samad said PH would not join forces with BN for the Melaka polls. He said the coalition was open to working with any party except BN and Perikatan Nasional.

PH communications director Fahmi Fadzil previously said the coalition’s presidential council makes the final decision on political cooperation.