KUALA LUMPUR: Barisan Nasional (BN) is still negotiating with political parties over seat allocations for the upcoming Melaka election.
Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said BN would defend the 21 seats it won previously, while negotiations over the remaining seven seats, including possible seat swaps, were ongoing.
"The negotiations have reached 90 per cent completion, with only 10 per cent remaining. In other words, we have agreed on the basic framework.
"There are seven more seats that we will discuss, including the possibility of seat swaps.
"We cannot deny the grassroots' desire to see 'perpaduan ummah', particularly between the two largest Malay political parties, become a reality," he told reporters after launching the closing of the 2026 MRSM Bintang Media today.
Also present were Media Prima News and Current Affairs managing director Jasbant Singh, Media Prima Berhad News and Current Affairs deputy group managing editor Datuk Farrah Naz Abd Karim, who is also the New Straits Times group editor, and Television Networks News and Current Affairs group editor Datuk Azhari Muhidin.
Asked which party BN was negotiating with, Asyraf declined to comment, saying the details would be announced only after the negotiations had been finalised.
Asked whether the negotiations appeared to favour Pas, Asyraf said cooperation between the parties had to be built on mutual trust.
"If we are friends, we must be genuine friends. Do not befriend someone only to stab them in the back.
"Do not appear friendly in front of them while intimidating them behind their backs through various means that are unbecoming of partners," he said.
On Oct 2, Pas deputy president Datuk Seri Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man said talks between the two parties for the Melaka election were in the final stage, with the parties having reached 90 per cent agreement.
The Election Commission (EC) has set Nov 14 for polling in the 16th Melaka election.
EC chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun said nomination day would be on Oct 31, while early voting would take place on Nov 10.
In the 15th Melaka election on Nov 20, 2021, BN formed the state government after winning 21 of the 28 seats, while Pakatan Harapan won five and Perikatan Nasional two.
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