Bersedia PRU16 awal jika BN-PN menang Melaka, kata Samsuri

Perikatan Nasional (PN) Pengerusi Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar anticipates early general elections (PRU16) if the Partnership of PN and Barisan Nasional (BN) wins the Melaka state poll this weekend. The second coalition, led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's Pakatan Harapan (PH), may face further developments and pressure as a result of a BN-PN victory.

Samsuri, who is also Terengganu Chief Minister, stated that PN's electoral tactics must be prepared for PRU16, which could be called at any time. The early election is expected to occur if the Parliament's term expires without renewal, although Wawasan Hamzah Zainudin, the current Pakatan Rakyat (PR) leader, previously predicted Anwar to call early elections next August.

BN and PN collaborated in the previous Melaka state election, with BN contesting 23 seats and PN five. BN Leader Zahid Hamidi said PN would be summoned to join the state government if they win. Samsuri also echoed Anwar's call for Melaka voters to choose candidates with ongoing access to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), arguing that such relationships might not endure after PRU16 due to no guarantee of Anwar's continued tenure.

However, continuous access to Putrajaya does not carry much meaning if a lawmaker ends up being sidelined in the Dewan Undangan Negeri (DUN) Melaka. "No need for such arguments. That's an argument from the 1980s," Samsuri said, adding that Melaka citizens should consider how a preferred candidate can govern and address local issues.

Last Thursday, Anwar urged voters to choose candidates with ongoing ties to the PMO, citing PH candidates Azman Abidin in Paya Rumput and Farzana Hayani Nasir in Kelebang as examples. Farzana previously worked in the PMO as an official, while Azman is a political secretary to Anwar and also PKR president.