Melaka State Election: Discussion With MCA Resolved Several Deadlocks In Seat Distribution - Ab Rauf

ALOR GAJAH, Oct 27 (Bernama) -- Discussions between Melaka Barisan Nasional (BN) Chairman Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh and MCA President Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong is believed to have successfully resolved several deadlocks regarding seat distribution for the Melaka State Election (PRN) next month.

Ab Rauf, who is also the Melaka BN Election Director, described the development as "positive" when met by reporters.

"(The discussion was) good, great... we managed to resolve the deadlocks that had previously arisen. We will wait for MCA itself to later perhaps provide the outcome (decision) from the negotiations I discussed with him (MCA President Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong) last night," he said.

He spoke to reporters after the Launching the Masjid Tanah Parliamentary BN Machinery, officiated by Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also BN Chairman, in Masjid Tanah here tonight.

Earlier, Wee was reported to have said in a Facebook post today that MCA and UMNO had not reconnected following a meeting at a hotel in Kuala Lumpur last night.

He was quoted as saying that it was too early for Ahmad Zahid to describe the outcome of the meeting as positive, adding that both sides need to continue discussions to reach a resolution in the near future.

Previously, MCA reportedly stated that it would not recognise any candidates from the party announced by BN for the Melaka PRN without the approval of its top leadership.

Wee said the act of announcing candidates without consultation and agreement from MCA was unacceptable, especially when seats previously contested by MCA were allegedly given to other parties.

Last Saturday, BN announced the coalition's candidates contesting 21 State Legislative Assembly (DUN) seats, including two MCA candidates: incumbent Machap Jaya assemblyman Datuk Ngwe Hee Sem and incumbent Kelebang assemblyman Datuk Lim Ban Hong.

--BERNAMA