{
  "id": 35503,
  "title": "I’m prepared to negotiate with any party for state polls, says Melaka CM",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/02/im-prepared-to-negotiate-with-any-party-for-state-polls-says-melaka-cm",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-02T06:46:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/08/02/i-m-prepared-to-negotiate-with-any-party-for-state-polls-says-melaka-cm"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Chief Minister of Melaka, Ab Rauf Yusof, has expressed his willingness to engage in negotiations with any party regarding the upcoming state polls. Rauf, who serves as the Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, indicated that while negotiations may not always result in an agreement, the party remains open to cooperation with any political party interested in working together. He emphasized that the discussions would depend on each party's respective strengths, and the final coalition would not be established until a formal arrangement is made. Rauf made these remarks after an event in Melaka.\n\nHe also extended congratulations to Ismail Lasim, the assemblyman for the Juasseh constituency, on his appointment as the new Menteri Besar of Negeri Sembilan. Rauf expressed his hope that Ismail would fulfill his responsibilities and deliver on the promises made in the election manifesto. In the recent state election, Ismail secured a significant victory with a 4,091-vote majority, garnering 6,907 votes, and defeating the Pakatan Harapan candidate Aidil Abdullah, who received 2,816 votes, and Bersatu's Zuhaimi Yusof, who received 506 votes. The BN coalition secured 18 state seats, while the Perikatan Nasional (PN) won seven, allowing BN and PN to form the new state government.",
  "summary": "Melaka Chief Minister Ab Rauf Yusof has expressed his willingness to negotiate with any party for the upcoming state polls, suggesting a BN Plus formula for potential cooperation. He emphasized that negotiations do not always lead to an agreement, as it depends on the respective strengths of the involved parties. Rauf also congratulated Ismail Lasim, the newly appointed Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar, and expressed hope that he would fulfill his responsibilities and deliver on election manifesto promises. In the recent state election, the Barisan Nasional (BN) won 18 out of 25 state seats, while the Perikatan Nasional (PN) secured seven, enabling both coalitions to form the new state government.",
  "key_points": [
    "Melaka CM Ab Rauf Yusof open to negotiating with any party for state polls.",
    "Rauf BN chairman, emphasized discussions depend on parties' strengths.",
    "Ismail Lasim appointed Menteri Besar of Negeri Sembilan, BN coalition won 18 seats."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "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."
}