Perikatan Nasional to negotiate Melaka state election cooperation with Barisan Nasional pragmatically

Perikatan Nasional (PN) is committed to a moderate and open stance in its upcoming negotiations with Barisan Nasional (BN) regarding cooperation for the Melaka state election. Tan Sri Annuar Musa, PN's Information Chief, assured that the coalition would not present unreasonable demands, likening the approach to avoiding the fairytale of 'pinning down the Princess of Mount Ledang.'

“

I guarantee PN, especially PAS, will not ask for unreasonable things. Even though it is in Melaka, we will not ask for seven plates of mosquito hearts and so on.

Musa emphasized that PN, particularly PAS, prioritizes the success of their united front and the agenda of uniting the ummah (community) over the specific number of seats to be contested. He stated that the distribution of seats would be entrusted to the wisdom of a joint negotiation committee formed by both parties.

“

PAS and PN are not taking the approach of 'pinning down the Princess of Mount Ledang' in this cooperation negotiation.

Discussions have already commenced, with a negotiation committee comprising four representatives from UMNO and four from PAS actively engaged. This committee is the same body that handled negotiations during previous elections, indicating a continuity in their collaborative efforts. Musa reiterated that the focus remains on achieving a fair and reasonable outcome that benefits the broader coalition.

“

PAS prioritizes the success of the consensus itself and is not being stubborn about the number of seats or anything else, as claimed by some parties. The important thing is fairness and reasonableness.

In a related development, Musa addressed the potential expansion of PN, stating that decisions regarding new party admissions rest with the coalition's leadership. He noted that some party applications are currently in a 'takaruf' status, meaning deferred rather than rejected. PN's core principle is to foster a broad coalition based on the concept of ummah unity, and applications from moderate, like-minded parties will be continuously evaluated.

“

'Takaruf' means postponed, not rejected. So, if there is an appeal, the application will be reviewed again because PN's policy is to be a coalition that brings unity based on the principle of ummah unity.