Rundingan kerusi Melaka penting untuk kerjasama BN-PN, kata penganalisis

Analysts see rundingan between Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) on seat distribution in Melaka's 2022 PRN as a crucial test of their informal cooperation, says political analyst Mazlan Alim. With BN aiming to retain all 21 seats up for grabs, failure to reach a compromise could have broader implications for smooth cooperation between the two coalitions, he warns.

"If they cannot reach a consensus on Melaka's seat-sharing, how will they resolve it in Kelantan and Terengganu for the 2026 general election?" he asks FMT, noting that BN lost all seats in those states during the 2022 polls. If talks between the two blocs fail, Melaka could see a three-way contest between BN, PN, and Pakatan Harapan (PH) for all 28 parliamentary seats.

Although PAS backed BN's stance on retaining all 21 seats during the 2021 Melaka PRN, Mazlan believes any initial problems can be resolved well, emphasizing the importance of continued BN-PN cooperation. The upcoming Melaka PRN is a real test of BN-PN coordination as PN will enter the negotiation with a stronger position, thanks to its parliamentary seats in Jasin, Tangga Batu, and Masjid Tanah.

BN, which did not hold any parliamentary seats in Melaka but won 21 DUN seats in the previous PRN, may retain them, while the remaining seats could be given to PN for contesting. Seven seats might be enough for PN in a state with only 28 DUN seats, Mazlan believes. "So, I think both sides can reach a point of agreement. More importantly, BN and PN know they cannot compete against each other. If they do, PH will be the biggest beneficiary."