KOTA BARU: Barisan Nasional (BN) should not underestimate Perikatan Nasional's (PN) strength in Melaka, as cooperation between the two coalitions could bolster their challenge against Pakatan Harapan (PH).
Parti Wawasan Negara (Wawasan) information chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal said PN had a solid support base in the state and could help BN shore up its position in seats where it had faced narrow victories in the previous election.
"PN has strength in Melaka, and this should not be underestimated," he said.
Wan Ahmad Fayhsal said BN could also benefit from cooperation by easing pressure in the eight to 10 seats where its position was less secure in the previous state election.
On seat negotiations, the Machang MP said Wawasan was not seeking a large allocation and recognised Melaka as a BN stronghold.
"We understand that BN leads in Melaka, and we are willing to compromise for the sake of Muslim unity," he said.
He said Wawasan could help narrow the gap between BN and Pas, adding that several seats won by BN in the previous election had been decided by slim majorities of between 300 and 500 votes in three-cornered contests.
"Our strength could help narrow that gap," he said.
Commenting on PN secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan's statement that PN supporters had been asked to back BN candidates, while BN supporters could also support PN candidates, Wan Ahmad Fayhsal said Wawasan would extend similar support.
He said Wawasan had about 100,000 members nationwide, with at least 1,000 in each parliamentary constituency in Melaka.
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