PH Plus seen as possible lifeline for Bersatu in Melaka [WATCH]

Pakatan Harapan Plus (PH Plus) could offer Bersatu a lifeline in Malaysia's upcoming Melaka election, according to a political analyst from Universiti Malaya. Dr Mohammad Tawfik Yaakub explained that Bersatu, which recently split from the People's Justice Party (Pas), may need to explore new electoral arrangements beyond going solo.

The analyst emphasized that a solo campaign would be high-risk, as it could isolate Bersatu and fragment Malay votes among multiple blocs. An agreement with PH Plus might be the most practical path forward, provided both sides can reach a limited seat-by-seat understanding instead of a full political alliance. Melaka PH chairman Adly Zahari confirmed that talks with parties sharing similar goals, including Bersatu, are underway.

However, cooperation between PH Plus and Barisan Nasional (BN) remains unlikely due to direct competition for Malay support and ongoing political disputes. Tawfik highlighted that retaining Bersatu's single seat in Melaka will depend heavily on local candidate strength, incumbency, grassroots machinery, and preventing fragmented support among various blocs.

While contesting under the PH Plus framework carries electoral risks, Dr Mazlan Ali from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia believes Bersatu should consider a selective pact with PH Plus to protect strategic seats and minimize vote-splitting. The analyst noted that Bersatu faces a 50-50 chance of retaining its Sungai Udang seat and possibly winning back Bemban, but with PH Plus support, its prospects improve significantly.

Bersatu previously won both seats in the last election, but the Bemban assemblyman was later expelled from the party. The Melaka election, scheduled after the state assembly's dissolution, features 28 seats, with BN securing 21 in the previous contest.