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SHAH ALAM — The upcoming Melaka state election could become a defining test of Barisan Nasional’s (BN) future relationship with Pakatan Harapan (PH), with Umno Supreme Council member Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan expressing confidence that BN can secure a third consecutive state election victory without PH’s support.
Ahmad said BN’s performance in Melaka would help determine future political arrangements, as questions continue to swirl over the long-term viability of cooperation between BN and PH despite both parties being partners in the federal unity government.
“Not necessarily. We look at what is going to happen in Melaka.
“I think we are going to win again in Melaka without PH, so there will be three (wins) in a row,” he said when asked whether Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi remained politically aligned after BN and PH contested separately in the recent Johor and Negeri Sembilan elections.
His remarks come amid growing attention on the political significance of the Melaka polls following BN’s strong performances in Johor and Negeri Sembilan.
Zahid, who is also BN chairman and Umno president, has indicated that BN intends to contest all 21 state seats in Melaka.
Ahmad pointed to BN’s recent electoral successes as evidence that the coalition was capable of performing strongly without PH as an electoral partner.
However, he stopped short of completely ruling out future cooperation with PH under different circumstances.
“If PH does not have DAP, we may consider, but that is very unlikely,” he said.
On the timing of the election, Ahmad said he favoured October or early November, citing concerns over the monsoon season and the risk of flooding later in the year.
The Melaka state assembly's term expires on Dec 31, 2026.
He added that the polls could also be held after the tabling of the state budget, which is usually presented in November or December.
In Johor, BN won 48 of the 56 state seats. In Negeri Sembilan, BN secured 18 seats while Perikatan Nasional (PN) won seven, giving the BN-PN alliance a combined two-thirds majority in the 36-seat state assembly. PH won 11 seats.
With Melaka shaping up as the next major electoral battleground, the outcome could have implications beyond state politics, potentially influencing BN’s strategic direction and its relationship with PH ahead of the 16th General Election.
