BN to Defend All 21 Melaka Seats, Says Zahid

Barisan Nasional (BN) intends to defend all 21 state seats it holds in Melaka at the coming state election, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.

He said Melaka Chief Minister Ab Rauf Yusoh, who is also Melaka BN chairman, had informed him of that intention.

"Of the 28 state seats in Melaka, the chief minister, who is also Melaka BN chairman Ab Rauf Yusoh, informed me that he is determined to defend all 21 seats," he told reporters after attending the rural and regional development ministry's monthly assembly today.

However, he said the coalition remains open to an understanding with any party, including Perikatan Nasional (PN), similar to the arrangement made for the Negeri Sembilan polls.

"There will certainly be discussions among all parties (including PN).

"BN's central leadership will be consulted and will have the final say on any agreement or understanding reached," he said.

Zahid had previously said the BN-PN electoral understanding would be extended to the Melaka state election. That came after the two coalitions secured a combined 25 seats in the Negeri Sembilan polls.

The current term of the Melaka state assembly ends in December, unless it is dissolved earlier. An election must be held within 60 days of dissolution, or by late February at the latest.

The Melaka assembly has 28 seats, of which BN holds 21, according to the figures cited by Zahid.