Melaka BN postpones election alliance talks

The Barisan Nasional (BN) has postponed talks about an alliance for the upcoming Melaka elections, according to state BN chief Ab Rauf Yusof. The chief minister informed that BN was open to discussions with all interested parties, but the necessary date for the meeting could not be agreed upon, causing the postponement. BN was anticipated to start negotiations this week; however, Yusof stated it was more probable that the coalition would convene with potential partners next week, as reported by Utusan Malaysia.

The Umno president, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, had granted Rauf the authority to negotiate with any party to decide on a strategic partner for the Melaka polls. Yusof expressed that he had no preference for allies but aimed to guarantee that any alliance would generate more advantages than drawbacks for BN. Despite coalition chairman Zahid initially indicating a willingness to collaborate with Perikatan Nasional following their alliance's attainment of a two-thirds majority in the Negeri Sembilan election, BN has not yet committed to a pact for the Melaka polls.