BARISAN Nasional (BN) will keep its options open on potential political alliances for the Melaka state election, with public acceptance among the factors to be considered before a final decision is made.
BN Melaka chairman Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said the coalition’s Supreme Council would decide on its strategic partners after negotiations with the parties concerned.
“We can be friends with anyone. Just because we establish a network of friendships does not mean we have to become a group living in an imaginary world. There is no need for that.
“The reality will come when the Supreme Council makes a decision following negotiations with the parties that could become our strategic partners,” he said in an interview with Sinar Harian.
He was responding to whether BN would contest the state election on its own or cooperate with other political parties.
Ab Rauf said political relationships should not be restricted, adding that he maintained good relations with leaders across the political divide, including the Prime Minister and PAS members.
“Whoever we want to be friends with, what is stopping us from being friends with everyone?
“I also have a good relationship with the Prime Minister without prejudice, and I am on good terms with my friends from PAS,” he said.
He added that BN was open to discussions with any political party to explore possible cooperation and their respective political directions.
On whether UMNO grassroots members in Melaka would accept potential cooperation with Pakatan Harapan (PH) or PAS, Ab Rauf said political parties should conduct their own research to gauge public sentiment.
He cautioned that choosing a partner rejected by voters could undermine a party’s position in government.
“If you ask me what decision will be made, that is a subjective question. Certainly, every political party can conduct its own research to determine what the people want.
“If we say we want to be friends with Group A but the people reject it, we could lose our positions and power,” he said.
Ab Rauf said the findings would help BN assess which political arrangement would receive greater public acceptance and serve its interests ahead of the polls. - October 18, 2026