{
  "id": 17342822,
  "title": "BN will give PAS appointed rep posts, says Melaka DAP chief",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/31/bn-will-give-pas-appointed-rep-posts-says-melaka-dap-chief",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-31T04:55:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/10/31/bn-will-give-pas-appointed-rep-posts-says-melaka-dap-chief"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.",
  "summary": "Khoo Poay Tiong claims Melaka BN chief Ab Rauf Yusoh is using the appointed assemblyman posts as bargaining chips.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Bernama",
        "title": "Politics : Melaka Polls: Adly In Four-cornered Contest For Bukit Katil Seat",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/31/politics-melaka-polls-adly-in-four-cornered-contest-for-bukit-katil",
        "published": "2026-10-31T01:41:51.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Amanah chief Mat Sabu is confident Adly will hold Bukit Katil in Melaka election",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/31/amanah-chief-mat-sabu-is-confident-adly-will-hold-bukit-katil-in",
        "published": "2026-10-31T04:05:50.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Melaka polls see a less crowded field than in 2021 state election",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/31/melaka-polls-see-a-less-crowded-field-than-in-2021-state-election",
        "published": "2026-10-31T05:10:58.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Melaka state election: Anwar's PH, Muhyiddin's Bersatu avoid clashes in 4 seats as candidates confirmed",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/31/melaka-state-election-anwars-ph-muhyiddins-bersatu-avoid-clashes-in-4",
        "published": "2026-10-31T06:47:41.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post",
        "title": "Malaysia’s Melaka poll begins as 79 cleared in test for Anwar’s coalition",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/31/malaysias-melaka-poll-begins-as-79-cleared-in-test-for-anwars",
        "published": "2026-10-31T06:57:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}