MELAKA – Negotiations between Barisan Nasional (BN) and any party on political cooperation ahead of the Melaka state election have yet to take place.
BN Melaka chairman Datuk Seri Utama Ab Rauf Yusoh said no date had been set for the negotiations, but discussions would take place in the near future following the dissolution of the state assembly on Wednesday.
“Once we enter negotiations, there will definitely be a decision. The media here will be the ones to inform the people, but so far, there have been no negotiations yet. Please be patient,” he said when met after an appreciation event honouring retired Melaka government administrative personnel at a hotel here on Thursday.
He said negotiations were expected to begin after he received a call from the Umno headquarters at Menara Dato Onn.
Asked about the 21 seats won by BN in the previous Melaka state election, Ab Rauf said the number would serve as the basis for the negotiations.
“That is the basis of our negotiations. It means those are our rights, while the rest can be negotiated. But since there have never been any negotiations, BN does not know the expectations, intentions or proposals of other parties because there has been no discussion at the negotiating table,” he said.
Ab Rauf said negotiations should be conducted properly rather than through social media platforms, which he said could create various negative perceptions.
“Any developments regarding the negotiations will be announced from time to time after discussions are held,” he said.