KUALA LUMPUR – The seat allocation dispute involving Barisan Nasional (BN) component party MCA for the upcoming Melaka state election has been resolved, says Melaka BN chairman Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.
He said negotiations had reached an agreement, adding that MCA's role as the party representing the Chinese community within BN would be refined and strengthened.
"MCA is okay, settled. Done deal. MCA accepts it as it is, and MCA's participation representing the Chinese community will certainly be refined and enhanced, Insya-Allah," he told reporters after attending an Umno Supreme Council meeting at Menara Dato' Onn here tonight.
Commenting on matters discussed during the meeting, Ab Rauf, who is also Melaka Chief Minister, said the party machinery had been directed to focus its election campaign on the 21 state seats BN is contesting.
He said state executive council members appointed as mentors for specific constituencies had also been tasked with assisting the Melaka BN machinery to secure victory in all contested seats.
"Every vote is crucial for us to defend the 21 seats we are contesting," he said.
Ab Rauf also confirmed that an understanding with BN component parties on election ground operations had been finalised.
Yesterday, Ab Rauf, who is also Melaka BN election director, and MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong resolved the impasse over seat allocations for the Melaka state election, which is scheduled for next month.
Ab Rauf described the outcome of their discussions as positive.
MCA had previously stated that it would not recognise any candidates announced by BN for the Melaka polls without the endorsement of its top leadership.
Last Saturday, BN announced its candidates for 21 state seats, including two MCA candidates: Machap Jaya incumbent Datuk Ngwe Hee Sem and Kelebang incumbent Datuk Lim Ban Hong.
Nomination day for the Melaka state election is scheduled for this Saturday, while early voting and polling day will be held on Nov 10 and 14, respectively. –BERNAMA