Pas, partner back MCA’s bid for two more Melaka seats

MASJID TANAH - MCA will contest four seats in the upcoming Melaka state election after Barisan Nasional (BN) secured agreement from its strategic partners, including Pas, to allocate the party two additional constituencies.

Melaka BN chairman Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said the agreement was reached through joint negotiations, taking into account the interests of all parties and the prospects of winning in the respective constituencies.

The additional allocation brings BN’s total number of contested seats to 23, with MCA contesting Kota Laksamana, Bandar Hilir and two other constituencies.

“Yes, both parties have agreed to hand them over to MCA. So MCA has two additional seats, which means MCA will contest four seats, bringing BN’s total to 23 seats,” he said.

He was speaking to reporters after attending the Tanjung Bidara state constituency’s Hi-tea Jalinan Muhibah programme here on Friday.

Ab Rauf said the decision, which was finalised at the last minute, followed negotiations and an assessment of the parties’ respective chances of winning the seats.

“That was based on joint negotiations, shared interests and a review of the studies conducted, which showed that it would be better to hand the seats to the party with greater potential to win those constituencies,” he added.

He stressed that the allocation should not become a subject of debate, as it was reached through the spirit of family and unity that had long characterised BN.

According to him, the coalition’s component parties had maintained relations for more than 70 years, with differences of opinion settled through discussions.

The two additional seats allocated to MCA are Kota Laksamana, which will be contested by Melvin Chua Kew Wei and Bandar Hilir, represented by Jasmine Lok Huey Yee.