MELAKA: The Melaka election will mark the beginning of a renewed push for Malay-Muslim political unity following a finalised electoral understanding between Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pas.
Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh welcomed the agreement, saying it would help realise the Tekad Ummah initiative aimed at uniting Umno and Pas, the country's two major Malay political parties.
He said the cooperation would benefit Malays and Muslims while demonstrating that the unity agenda championed by Umno Youth could be translated into political action.
"Umno Youth is grateful and delighted by BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi's announcement of a political understanding between BN and Pas.
"The Melaka election will see the two largest Malay parties joining forces to ensure that the Malay-Muslim unity agenda becomes a reality for the sake of our people and religion.
"Thank you to the Umno president and Pas president for reaching this understanding," he said when contacted today.
Earlier, Zahid, who is also Umno president, confirmed that negotiations with Pas for the Melaka election had been finalised.
He announced that BN would contest 21 state assembly seats, while Pas and its allies would contest the remaining seven.
The agreement provides greater clarity on the two sides' electoral strategies and allows them to coordinate their campaigns to avoid contesting against each other.
BN is scheduled to announce its candidates on Oct 24 at the Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC), while Pas is expected to unveil its candidates next week.
Umno Youth has previously called for Malay-Muslim political unity to prevent the fragmentation of electoral support, particularly in elections involving several competing parties.
Akmal has consistently championed the unity agenda as a means of strengthening Malay-Muslim political representation, including through cooperation between parties with shared political aspirations.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd