Melaka BN resolves seat dispute with MCA ahead of state polls, Ab Rauf says

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 29 — The seating arrangement dispute within Barisan Nasional (BN) involving MCA for the upcoming Melaka state election has been resolved, according to Melaka BN chairman Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh. He declared that negotiations had reached a mutually agreeable resolution, with MCA accepting their role in representing the Chinese community within BN.

During an UMNO Supreme Council meeting at Menara Dato' Onn, Ab Rauf, who serves as Melaka Chief Minister, emphasized that the party machinery would now concentrate on the 21 contested state seats. He also noted that State Executive Council members appointed as mentors for specific constituencies would provide assistance to the Melaka BN machinery to secure victory in all contested areas.

Ab Rauf confirmed that an understanding with BN component parties on election ground operations had been finalized. The impasse over seat allocations was broken by an encounter between Ab Rauf and MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, with Ab Rauf describing the outcome as positive. Notably, MCA had previously insisted on endorsing BN's top leadership before recognizing any party candidates for the Melaka polls.

BN had announced its candidates for the 21 state seats, including two from MCA – incumbent Datuk Ngwe Hee Sem in Machap Jaya and incumbent Datuk Lim Ban Hong in Kelebang. Nomination day for the election is set for this Saturday, while early voting and polling day are scheduled for November 10 and 14, respectively.