MARANG – Pas president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang believes negotiations and efforts to forge political cooperation ahead of the Melaka state election will be easier than those faced by political parties during the previous Johor polls.
He said the assessment was based on positive feedback from the grassroots as well as the current political landscape.
"InsyaAllah, it can. If Johor was more complicated, Melaka is easier," he said after delivering a dhuha lecture at Rusila Mosque here on Friday.
Hadi said negotiations between Perikatan Nasional (PN) and Barisan Nasional (BN) were still ongoing through representatives appointed by the respective parties.
He also claimed there was positive sentiment within BN towards cooperation with PN, including among its leadership and grassroots supporters.
"We are still discussing. Our representatives are discussing with PN. Within BN itself, there are divisions and I think the majority agree to cooperate with PN. The Youth chief and the grassroots level also agree," he said.
However, Hadi declined to comment on Pas' position if BN eventually chooses to cooperate with Pakatan Harapan (PH), stressing that no official decision had been reached.
"There is no decision yet, we are still observing and still discussing," he said.
His remarks came after PH secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said the coalition was open to discussions with BN ahead of the Melaka polls, with the matter to be decided together with Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Abd Rauf Yusoh.
PKR information chief Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil had also welcomed BN's openness regarding seat allocations for the 16th Melaka state election.
BN chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi previously said on Aug 8 that the coalition remained open to negotiations involving seat allocations or exchanges, based on mutual respect for seats won by any party.