PAS assessing Umno’s strength in Melaka as it mulls alliance with BN

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang told members not to worry about seat negotiations for the Melaka election. He expressed uncertainty about Umno's strength in the state. PAS has taken varied approaches in earlier state elections depending on the strength of participating parties. In Melaka, PAS will discuss the situation with Umno before making a decision, which will then be implemented.

The president cited the Johor election as an example where PAS supported Umno and other BN parties in contested seats while Malaysians Chinese Association (MCA) and Malaysian Chinese Students' Association (MIC) were backed in non-contested seats. BN ultimately secured control of the state, winning 48 of the 56 seats contested. PAS members were instructed to vote for PAS in contested seats and for Umno, MCA, or MIC in non-contested ones.

The comparison was made to a football match where PAS played the goalkeeper, allowing Umno to score while PAS did not score any goals, but the outcome was still favorable. In Negeri Sembilan, PAS played a more direct role alongside Umno, leading to their inclusion in the state government. Hadi claimed that BN's leadership was divided over forming an alliance with PN for the Melaka polls, but expressed confidence that an agreement could be reached.

BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had previously suggested continuing the Umno-PN alliance for Melaka, but later insisted on defending the 21 seats BN won in the 2021 state election.