PN open to seat swaps with BN, says Samsuri

Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition leader Ahmad Samsuri has expressed openness to swapping seats with Barisan Nasional (BN) should the two coalitions agree to a pact ahead of the upcoming Melaka state election. Samsuri clarified that formal discussions between PN and BN have not yet commenced, emphasizing that the Melaka polls have not been officially announced.

The PN is willing to engage in any form of negotiation, though no such talks have taken place thus far. Samsuri noted that with time remaining before the state election, there is ample opportunity for dialogue between PN leadership and BN allies. He stressed that negotiations should focus on establishing a stable state government post-election.

Meanwhile, BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi reiterated the coalition's willingness to discuss seat allocations and potential swaps for the Melaka polls, provided that its allies remain honest and sincere. Zahid emphasized that seats won by any party must be respected and should not be arbitrarily given to political partners. The BN currently holds 20 out of 28 seats in the Melaka state legislative assembly, with Rembia assemblyman Jailani Khamis recently defecting to PAS following the state's anti-hopping law enforcement.