KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 15 — Perikatan Nasional (PN) is almost certain to forge an alliance with other political parties ahead of the Melaka state election, its secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said today, although he stopped short of revealing who its potential partners might be.
According to Utusan Malaysia, Takiyuddin put the likelihood of cooperation at nearly 100 per cent when questioned about the Opposition coalition’s preparations for the upcoming polls.
“It’s around 100 per cent. Not more than 100 per cent,” he told a press conference in Parliament.
His remarks come just two days after Barisan Nasional (BN) suggested it was close to securing an electoral partner, with negotiations said to have reached 90 per cent mutual understanding.
However, BN has insisted that any potential ally must be trustworthy and would not “stab it in the back”.
Umno secretary-general Datuk Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki declined to identify the parties involved in the discussions but hinted at the kind of political partners BN would be willing to work with.
Takiyuddin did not disclose which parties PN was negotiating with or whether the talks involved BN.
He said discussions over seat allocations were already under way, both with potential allies and among PN’s own component parties.
“Discussions have been ongoing for some time between us and the parties cooperating with us, as well as among our own component parties.
“We are discussing seat allocations and the necessary thorough preparations that we need to make,” he said.
The uncertainty over PN’s electoral arrangements comes as the coalition faces a separate legal obstacle that could prevent it from contesting under its own name and logo.
The Registrar of Societies (RoS) suspended all PN activities with effect from September 23, leaving the coalition unable to use its name and symbol while the order remains in force.
Asked how PN intended to contest the election if the suspension was not lifted, Takiyuddin said alternative arrangements were already being considered but declined to elaborate.
“There is an alternative for everything. The first option, of course, is the Perikatan Nasional logo. If that cannot be used, there are other alternatives, but these are strategies that cannot be disclosed.
“Otherwise, it wouldn’t be a strategy. If we announce it, it becomes a tragedy,” he quipped.
The Melaka state election is scheduled for November 14, with nominations on October 31 and early voting on November 10, following the dissolution of the state assembly on September 23.
In the previous election in 2021, BN secured a commanding majority with 21 of the 28 seats, while Pakatan Harapan (PH) won five and PN two.
The coalition’s legal difficulties follow notices issued by the RoS on September 22 concerning its registration and activities.
On Tuesday, the Kuala Lumpur High Court granted PN permission to challenge the RoS action through a judicial review but refused its application for an immediate stay of the suspension order.
Judge Datuk Azizan Md Arshad ruled that PN could proceed with its legal challenge but declined to temporarily lift the suspension pending further proceedings.
The court has fixed October 22 to hear PN’s application for a stay of the order, with both sides given an opportunity to present their arguments.
Until then, PN remains barred from using its name and logo, while its activities remain suspended, complicating its preparations for the Melaka election.