Continued cooperation between BN and PH is the most pragmatic strategy for the next Melaka state election, according to political analyst Mohammad Tawfik Yaakub.
PETALING JAYA: Continued cooperation between Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH) would be the most pragmatic strategy heading into the next Melaka state election, according to political analyst Mohammad Tawfik Yaakub.
The Universiti Malaya academic said BN in Melaka should avoid replicating Johor’s strategy of contesting all state seats and instead pursue an electoral pact with PH.
“They should move forward through an electoral pact. This would be the wiser approach,” he told theSun.
Tawfik warned that widespread three-cornered contests could ultimately benefit Perikatan Nasional (PN), which has already indicated its intention to contest all 28 state seats in the next Melaka election.
On May 31, PN deputy chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced the coalition’s plan to field candidates in every constituency.
Tawfik argued that BN would struggle to wrest several traditional PH strongholds, including Bandar Hilir and Kota Laksamana.
He said contesting such seats would require substantial campaign resources, machinery and funding that could be better utilised elsewhere.
“Instead, BN should focus on constituencies where it has greater potential to improve its performance, including Sungai Udang and Bemban, where PN won by fewer than 600 votes in the last state election,” he said.
Tawfik believes PN’s strategy is based on the expectation that several current issues could resonate with Malay voters, including dissatisfaction among some over Umno’s cooperation with PH and broader issues involving Malay-Muslim sentiment.
“Although issues such as the Sultan Selangor decree, pig farming and temple controversies did not occur in Melaka, Malay and Islamic sentiments will likely be raised during the campaign to attract Malay voters,” he said.
However, he described PN’s move to contest all seats as premature, noting that Melaka’s political landscape differs from other states.
“PN is rushing into contesting all 28 seats. They need to realise that the government administering Melaka today is from BN and there are BN leaders who are well-liked and prominent,” he said.
Among the leaders he highlighted were Merlimau assemblyman Datuk Dr Akmal Saleh and Duyong assemblyman Datuk Mohd Noor Helmy Abdul Halem, both of whom he said enjoy strong public visibility.
“If Umno and BN make some adjustments and promote a new face as their chief ministerial poster boy, such as Akmal or Helmy, the momentum in Melaka could favour BN,” he added.
On PH’s prospects, Tawfik said the coalition must acknowledge the political realities in Melaka, where Malays make up nearly 65% of registered voters and where support for Malay-based parties remains significant.
He said PH should prioritise defending its existing seats while maintaining cooperation with BN.
“PH needs to be pragmatic. PH once led the Melaka government in 2018 when Bersatu was a major Malay component within the coalition.
“Today, PH cannot depend on Amanah or People’s Justice Party alone to regain that position because many Malay voters in Melaka are still influenced by sentiments favouring Malay parties,” he said.
Tawfik concluded that Malaysia’s political landscape has become increasingly fluid, making cooperation and strategic alliances more important than ever.
“Politics is now dynamic, and there are no permanent political friends or enemies,” he said.
