Bersatu to contest 8 seats in Melaka polls

Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin clarified that the confidence and supply agreement (CSA) signed with the federal government on Oct 29 has no connection to a potential electoral pact with Pakatan Harapan (PH) for the Melaka polls. Muhyiddin made the statement during the signing of the agreement at Parliament, responding to inquiries about a possible collaboration between Bersatu and PH in Melaka.

Speculation of a tie-up arose after leaders from both parties attended a private dinner in the city on September 28, but the idea has faced opposition within PH. Muhyiddin emphasized that the CSA is distinct from a similar agreement being pursued between Bersatu and the PH-led Selangor government. The agreement encompasses six Bersatu MPs and Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, who are advocating for limitations on the prime minister's term, separating the attorney-general and public prosecutor roles, and equal constituency development allocations before the government's term ends.

In exchange, the seven opposition MPs will support Anwar Ibrahim's administration until the parliamentary term concludes and back Budget 2027. The six Bersatu MPs who signed the agreement are Muhyiddin, Datuk Radzi Jidin, Ali Biju, Datuk Mohd Suhaimi Abdullah, Nazri Abu Hassan, and Azman Nasrudin. Six former Bersatu MPs who were dismissed in 2024 for backing the government also signed the deal, with Muhyiddin stating their endorsement was merely a formality.

Bersatu plans to remain in the opposition and continue providing checks and balances despite the agreement. The CSA is anticipated to endure until Parliament is dissolved but could be terminated if either side fails to meet its obligations. Syed Saddiq has called for the CSA to result in legislation guaranteeing equal constituency allocations for all MPs, rather than just those who signed the deal.