Amirudin to meet Anwar on PH-BN talks for Melaka polls

Pakatan Harapan's election director Amirudin Shari is set to meet Barisan Nasional chairman Anwar Ibrahim to discuss potential cooperation in the upcoming Melaka election. Amirudin, who also serves as Selangor Menteri Besar, is expected to meet Anwar tomorrow to explore the possibility of joint efforts. The talks are expected to commence within one or two weeks, as there is still ample time before the National Day celebrations come to a close on August 31.

However, Amirudin has emphasized that no formal decision has been made at this stage. Both sides have only exchanged statements regarding the matter. Anwar, the PH chairman, recently stated that his election committee would deliberate on potential collaboration with BN for the Melaka polls. The committee, led by Amirudin and overseen by Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, has not ruled out meeting Ab Rauf Yusoh, the BN chairman and Melaka Menteri Besar, to discuss cooperation ahead of the state election.

Ab Rauf, who is currently in New Zealand for a working visit, is expected to return and facilitate such a meeting. In the 2021 Melaka election, BN secured 21 out of 28 seats, while PH won five and Perikatan Nasional two. After the election, PH's state assemblymen were integrated into the state executive council, mirroring the federal unity government's composition.

In July, Melaka PH officially withdrew its support for the state government following a disagreement over an amendment to the state constitution that permits the appointment of up to seven unelected nominated assemblymen. The next Melaka election must be called by late February 2027 at the latest, with the current state assembly term set to conclude on December 30.