BN dijangka teroka kerjasama selain PN di Melaka, kata penganalisis

Analysts suggest Barisan Nasional (BN) may consider alternative political partnerships for electoral gain in the upcoming polls, apart from Perikatan Nasional (PN). Azmi Hassan, from Nusantara Academy, noted the BN's open invitation to discuss with various political groups. However, Zahid Hamidi, the BN chairman in Melaka, reiterated the party's commitment to retaining all 21 seats won in the previous PRN Melaka and maintaining open doors for cooperation with other political parties.

PAS President Hadi Awang acknowledged preliminary discussions between the two parties, while Azmi estimated a potential seven-seats gain for PAS based on its past performance in Melaka's 2021 PRN. BN won all 28 seats in 2021, while PH claimed five and Bersatu two. Although Bersatu and PAS continued to work together under PN, BN failed to secure any seats, unlike PN, which won three out of six Melaka parliamentary seats in the last general election.

There are 14 parliamentary seats in the three relevant parliamentary regions. Azmi believes BN might find it easier to cooperate with PH in Melaka, given the party's current support. BN traditionally dominated Melaka, but lost it temporarily when PH won 15 out of 28 seats in 2018, leaving BN with only 13 seats. BN reclaimed state administration in Melaka during the 2021 PRN.

Mazlan Ali, a lecturer at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, suggested BN might view cooperation with PN differently from Johor and Negeri Sembilan, as PN might want to contest in more non-urban areas, which could make Umno reluctant. Recently, Zahid mentioned that Melaka BN Secretary Ab Rauf Yusoh was given authority to discuss with any party for forming a partnership.

Azmi cautioned against premature conclusions about BN's future cooperation with PN, as difficulties in reaching a consensus on seat distribution in Melaka do not necessarily mean BN would completely sever ties with PN. Both PN and BN currently govern Perak and Pahang through cooperative governments. While PN won more seats in these states during the 2022 PRN, BN and PN now govern both states together.

Azmi also did not rule out the possibility of BN and PN continuing their cooperation in Melaka, depending on the projected electoral benefits for each party. He believes BN might collaborate with PN in Melaka, and if successful, the formula would be carried forward to the upcoming election. However, this could also depend on factors such as demographics and suitability.

BN might also cooperate with other alliances, as cross-party cooperation has become the norm in today's politics.