KUALA LUMPUR: Discussions on cooperation for the Melaka election have been finalised and will be announced in a few days, said Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
He said Melaka BN chairman Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh would make the announcement.
"It will be announced in a few days. I have studied it and I have asked that Datuk Seri Rauf make the announcement," he told reporters after launching the Road Safety Congress 2026 here today.
On Thursday, Zahid said BN would defend all 21 state seats it won in the previous Melaka election while remaining open to negotiations over the remaining seven seats in next month's polls.
On Saturday, Rauf, who is the caretaker Melaka chief minister, said the coalition would announce its candidates on Oct 28.
On Oct 9, Perikatan Nasional deputy chairman Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said the coalition was expected to contest more than four seats, with the final number depending on talks with Umno.
On Oct 10, Pas president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang said the party had reached agreement "in principle" with BN, with seat allocations and candidates still being discussed.
Meanwhile on Sept 23, Pakatan Harapan chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said no decision had been made on cooperation for the polls but confirmed that talks had been held with Bersatu.
However on Sept 29, Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali ruled out working with PH or any other party and said Bersatu was preparing to contest alone.
The Melaka assembly was dissolved on Sept 23, paving the way for the 16th state election. The Election Commission has set Oct 31 for nomination, Nov 10 for early voting and Nov 14 for polling.
In the 2021 election, BN won 21 of the 28 seats, PH five and Perikatan Nasional (PN) two.
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