‘Itu hati budi mereka’, PAS jawab hasrat BN tanding 21 kerusi

PAS deputy chief Muhammad Jailani Khamis stated that the party will continue to prioritize national unity in contesting parliamentary seats when the Barisan Nasional (BN) wishes to contest 21 out of 28 seats in the 21st Malaysian general election (PRN). He maintained that PAS and PN will focus on national unity and people's well-being, and will adhere to the leadership's decisions.

The statement follows a remark by BN chairman Zahid Hamidi, who expressed a desire to retain all 21 seats BN won in the Melaka PRN. The BN leader also said BN is open to reaching understandings with any party, including PN, in PRN Melaka, where BN currently holds 25 out of 36 seats. During the 2021 Melaka PRN, BN won 21 out of 28 parliamentary seats, with five going to Pakatan Harapan (PH) and two to PN.

However, BN's seat count fell to 20 after Jailani, who is also Rembia's Member of Parliament, joined PAS in 2023. Meanwhile, Wawasan Melaka party leader Dr Mohd Yadzil Yaakub also surrendered discussion of seats and cooperation between PN and BN to the party's leadership. Rembia MP and Wawasan party head Dr Hamzah Zainudin believes the discussion should be left to his judgment.

FMT earlier reported a view from political analyst Syaza Shukri that PN is expected to seek at least half of the 28 parliamentary seats in Melaka during PRN, citing three parliamentary areas that saw PN's victory in the 2015 general election: Masjid Tanah, Tangga Batu, and Jasin. These three parliamentary areas include 14 seats currently held by BN.

PAS previously announced its intention to contest all 28 parliamentary seats in Melaka, with the aim of challenging BN's Chief Minister Ab Rauf Yusoh in Tanjung Bidara. The party has also targeted other parliamentary seats, including Pantai Kundor, Paya Rumput, Klebang, Ayer Limau, Kuala Linggi, Rembia, Durian Tunggal, Pengkalan Batu, Duyong, Merlimau, and Serkam.