KUALA LUMPUR: Perikatan Nasional has almost finalised its political pact for the Melaka election, with progress nearing 100 per cent, coalition secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said.
Takiyuddin said seat allocation negotiations were ongoing between PN and its aligned partners, as well as among the coalition's component parties.
"Progress is almost 100 per cent. It has been ongoing for a long time. One aspect is between the parties collaborating with us.
"At the same time, among our own component parties, we are discussing seat distribution and making the necessary preparations.
"Those discussions are also ongoing. We will be together with our partners for the Melaka election," he told reporters at the Dewan Rakyat today.
Takiyuddin said preparations were complete and the coalition's electoral strategy had been finalised.
"In terms of seat allocation, seat negotiations and candidate placement, there is no connection with the former party (Bersatu), as it has chosen to go on its own under its own logo.
"We are proceeding independently alongside our designated partners in the Melaka election."
He added that PN's legal status to field candidates under its own name and banner remained subject to an ongoing court challenge involving the Registrar of Societies (RoS).
On Oct 13, the High Court granted PN leave to initiate a judicial review against two RoS actions: a show-cause notice issued under Section 13(2) of the Societies Act 1966 and an order under Section 13(2)(A) suspending the coalition's activities.
Takiyuddin said the judicial review sought to quash both RoS actions.
"Suspending PN deprives more than 600,000 Melaka voters of their constitutional right to choose their preferred political party," he said.
He added that the Kuala Lumpur High Court was scheduled to hear the application on Oct 22, nine days before nomination day.
"If we are unable to contest under the PN logo, we have alternative strategies in place. Revealing them now would turn a strategy into a tragedy," he said.
The Election Commission has set Nov 14 as polling day, with early voting scheduled for Oct 31 and Nov 10, respectively.
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