BN will give PAS appointed rep posts, says Melaka DAP chief

Melaka DAP chief Khoo Poay Tiong has stated that the Barisan Nasional (BN) party intends to appoint PAS representatives as appointed assemblymen if the BN-Perikatan Nasional alliance prevails in the upcoming Melaka state election on November 14. Khoo, who represents Kota Melaka, believes that PAS would not be content with merely two seats in the polls, even if the Islamic party secures both seats.

He claims that the state BN chief, Ab Rauf Yusoh, is utilizing the appointed assemblyman positions as leverage in negotiations, including with MCA, following protests over the initial seat allocations. According to Khoo, Rauf has already pledged two of the seven appointed assemblyman positions to MCA. The Pakatan Harapan party withdrew from the BN-led Melaka government in July after a constitutional amendment was passed, allowing the appointment of up to seven unelected state assemblymen.

This amendment was deemed incompatible with democratic principles by the PH, although Sabah, Terengganu, and Pahang also permit this practice. Rauf defended the move, arguing that the appointed posts would be filled by experts and professionals. BN is contesting 23 seats in the Melaka polls under an alliance with PN, aiming to secure the remaining five positions.