No deal with Pakatan: Azmin says Bersatu preparing to contest Melaka polls alone

Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) has stated it will not collaborate with Pakatan Harapan (PH) or any other party in the upcoming Melaka state election, insisting on contesting as a standalone entity, according to Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, the party's secretary-general. Azmin confirmed that Bersatu will utilize its distinctive branding, maintaining the practice from the Negeri Sembilan election.

He added that the party is currently formulating its election strategy and readying its resources for an independent campaign. Azmin's comments came following reports of a private dinner in Melaka where senior figures from Bersatu and PH met, sparking discussions about potential electoral arrangements. However, Azmin clarified that this meeting was purely personal and had no bearing on Bersatu's official stance.

Several Bersatu leaders, including the information chief Datuk Tun Faisal Ismail Aziz, the election director Datuk Seri Mohamad Ali Mohamad, the associate wing chief Datuk Seri R Sanjeevan, and the information chief Datuk Seri Hishamiddin Abdul Karim, reportedly attended the gathering, which took place at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur ahead of the state election.

The Melaka PH leader Adly Zahari had previously hinted at discussions with Bersatu and other parties over a possible "PH Plus" agreement. PH's election director Amirudin Shari later suggested that such a collaboration would likely manifest as an electoral pact rather than a formal coalition. The Melaka state assembly was dissolved on September 23, and the Election Commission is scheduled to convene on October 7 to finalize the election's key dates.