KUALA LUMPUR, August 21 2026 — Perikatan Nasional (PN) is prepared to forgo cooperation with Barisan Nasional (BN) in the upcoming Melaka state election if the coalition chooses to work with Pakatan Harapan (PH), said PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang.
Hadi said PN was ready to accept whatever political decision BN made, including the possibility of BN forming an electoral partnership with PH.
He said discussions between BN and PN were still ongoing, but the final direction would depend on developments and negotiations ahead of the state election.
His remarks come amid growing uncertainty over BN’s political strategy in Melaka, with the coalition previously indicating that it is open to discussing cooperation with other political parties.
BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had said the coalition was prepared to consider various options, while Umno is scheduled to discuss its political direction for the Melaka election at its Supreme Council meeting on Aug 28.
The possibility of a BN-PH cooperation has also gained attention, particularly after Melaka PH withdrew its support for the BN-led state government in July following disagreements over amendments to the state constitution.
The Melaka state election must be held by February next year.
In the 2021 state election, BN won 21 of the 28 seats, while PH secured five and PN two.
With negotiations over seat allocations expected to intensify, the possibility of different political alignments has added uncertainty to the upcoming polls.
-NST
