Melaka seat allocation must be handled carefully, says Annuar

PAS committee member Annuar says the allocation of seats for the Melaka state election must be worked out carefully and not rushed.

His remarks followed Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Zahid Hamidi's announcement that BN will contest the 21 seats it currently holds in the Melaka polls, which must be held by the end of the year at the latest.

Following the coalition's win in the Negeri Sembilan state election last Saturday, Zahid hinted that BN's cooperation with Perikatan Nasional (PN) might be extended to Melaka.

Annuar said Zahid's statement meant BN would contest almost all Malay-majority seats, leaving a small number for other parties. He said PN would hold discussions first and would not pre-empt any negotiations.

"For the PAS machinery and elections department, we will carry out a study of public sentiment. We greatly value the aspirations of the people of Melaka.

"It is very necessary for us to make careful calculations and not to easily forget the successes already achieved.

"It is part of a test for all of us," he said on Facebook. (Quotes translated from Malay.)

PAS president Hadi Awang was quoted on Saturday as saying that the cooperation formula used in Johor and Negeri Sembilan need not be repeated in Melaka, as it was subject to local political developments and conditions. He also referred to BN not holding any parliamentary seat in Melaka.

Melaka BN chairman Ab Rauf Yusoh said on Sunday that his side was open to working with any party through a "BN Plus" formula, but stressed that negotiations did not necessarily produce agreement.

PAS had earlier announced its intention to contest 16 of the 28 Melaka state seats, including challenging Ab Rauf in Tanjung Bidara.

Other seats targeted by the party are Pantai Kundor, Paya Rumput, Klebang, Ayer Limau, Kuala Linggi, Rembia, Durian Tunggal, Pengkalan Batu, Duyong, Merlimau and Serkam.