Ab Rauf Given Full Mandate To Negotiate Ahead Of Melaka Polls  - Ahmad Zahid

GERIK, Aug 10 (Bernama) -- Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh has been given full authority to negotiate cooperation with any political coalition ahead of the upcoming Melaka State Election.

Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who stressed this, also hopes that the negotiations would not become complicated.

"Discussions about seat allocations are usually complicated. Discuss them properly, there is no problem that cannot be resolved,” he told a press conference after officiating the launch of the 2026-2035 National Social Determinants of Health Strategic Plan for Orang Asli (NSPSDHOA) at Kampung Air Banun here today.

Ahmad Zahid, who is also UMNO president, said the decisions reached during the discussions would be conveyed to UMNO's top leadership before being brought to the BN Supreme Council for final approval.

Yesterday, Pakatan Harapan (PH) communications director Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil said it welcomed BN's openness regarding the distribution of seats for the upcoming Melaka state election and described it as an opportunity that deserves to be examined.

Meanwhile, Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar said that it was also open and ready to hold discussions with BN for the Melaka state polls.

On Saturday, Ahmad Zahid said the coalition remains open to negotiations on seat allocations for the Melaka State Election, including seat swaps, provided they are conducted honestly and in good faith.

-- BERNAMA