BN Plus, PH Plus Formulas Compete Ahead of Melaka State Election

Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH) are actively exploring cooperation with other parties to form broader alliances ahead of the 16th Melaka State Election.

BN is pursuing the BN Plus formula, while PH is advancing PH Plus, with both political blocs seeking allies that could strengthen their respective positions ahead of nomination and polling days.

The development has made Melaka’s political landscape increasingly open following the dissolution of the State Legislative Assembly (DUN), which took effect on Sept 23.

For BN, negotiations with outside parties entered an important phase this week after its Chairman, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, confirmed that UMNO headquarters had arranged two separate meetings with two different political groups.

The meetings were scheduled for different dates and times, with negotiations led by Melaka BN Chairman Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh and UMNO Secretary-General Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki.

However, developments earlier this week indicated that the negotiation schedule did not proceed entirely as expected, after Ab Rauf confirmed that no meeting with any political coalition took place at Menara Dato’ Onn, Kuala Lumpur World Trade Centre (WTCKL), on Sept 28.

Nevertheless, this does not mean BN’s negotiation process has stalled. Rather, it suggests that discussions over the form of cooperation, the interests of each party and political arrangements require careful consideration before any agreement can be finalised.

Ahmad Zahid had previously given Ab Rauf the mandate to hold discussions with any party interested in cooperating ahead of the Melaka state election, with any final decision to be referred to the highest leadership of BN and UMNO.

At the same time, BN has maintained a position that remains a key issue in the negotiations — defending the 21 seats it won in the 2021 state election, when the coalition secured a large majority in the Melaka State Legislative Assembly.

Seat Allocation

This position makes seat allocation one of the most sensitive issues in the formation of BN Plus, as any cooperation would have to take into account incumbent seats, the strength of party machinery and the interests of prospective allies.

On the PH side, efforts to form PH Plus are not new, with Melaka PH Chairman Adly Zahari previously confirming that negotiations were being finalised with parties that share similar aspirations, including BERSATU.

Adly said any form of cooperation would only be announced once negotiations had concluded, while the allocation of seats within PH involving PKR, AMANAH and DAP had already been settled.

The development indicates that PH has first focused on establishing its own formula before determining the shape of any broader understanding with parties outside the coalition.

However, the situation became more noteworthy after PH and BERSATU leaders were reported to have met at a closed-door dinner at a hotel in Jalan Hang Tuah, Melaka, on Monday.

The gathering was also linked to the presence of senior leaders from Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (PUTRA).

PH Communications Director Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil, however, clarified that the meeting was not an official political discussion with BERSATU but merely a dinner gathering, while any decision on political cooperation would have to be made by the PH Presidential Council.

The distinction between an informal meeting and formal negotiations is important, as there has yet to be any final announcement on the form of cooperation between PH and BERSATU or PUTRA for the Melaka state election.

Nevertheless, from a political perspective, the fact that leaders from parties outside PH have met indicates that the possibility of new alignments remains open and efforts to find common ground are still ongoing.

While BN is arranging separate negotiations with two political groups, PH is seeking to establish PH Plus by securing the support of parties whose interests and aspirations can be aligned ahead of the state election.

This has made the week one of the most dynamic periods in Melaka politics, as negotiations are no longer merely about who will contest which seats but also involve the shape of alliances, political understandings and post-election arrangements.

More importantly, time is running short, with the state election expected to take place at the end of this month, leaving each party with an increasingly limited period to settle questions involving allies, seat allocations and campaign strategies.

Ultimately, the competition between BN Plus and PH Plus is not merely a race to bring more parties into their respective camps, but an effort to establish political formulas acceptable to all sides before Melaka voters decide on their new mandate in the 16th State Election.

Berita Harian