Malaysia

PH leaders hold talks as Melaka election plans take shape

Speculation grows over a possible renewal of Pakatan Harapan -Barisan Nasional cooperation

Updated 2 days ago · Published on 24 Aug 2026 10:56AM

PH leaders hold talks as Melaka election plans take shape
PM meets Pakatan Harapan election director Amirudin Shari as political parties intensify negotiations and positioning ahead of the Melaka state election - August 24, 2026

PAKATAN Harapan (PH) election director Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari met coalition chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim yesterday, as talks with Barisan Nasional (BN) over the coming Melaka election continue.

PH communications director Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil confirmed the meeting, but said he was not told what was discussed.

“I was informed that they met yesterday, but I was not informed about what was discussed,” Fahmi told reporters after a sponsorship handover ceremony involving strategic partners and Human Graphics participants in conjunction with the 2026 National Day celebrations here today.

Fahmi said PH leaders had been holding a series of meetings over the past two days, but he could not say whether the Melaka election or seat negotiations featured in Anwar’s meeting with Amirudin.

“There have indeed been many meetings and discussions among the leadership over the past day or two.

“But whether that was one of the matters discussed, I was not informed,” he said.

The meeting comes days after Anwar said PH’s election committee would look into possible cooperation with BN for the Melaka polls.

The committee is headed by Amirudin, with PH secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail as its secretary.

Saifuddin had also said he was not ruling out a meeting with Melaka BN chairman Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh to discuss possible cooperation ahead of the state election.

He said such a meeting could be held after Ab Rauf returns from a working visit to New Zealand.

Fahmi, meanwhile, said PH’s strategy following the recent PKR congress in Melaka would involve strengthening the coalition’s existing support while reaching out to former leaders and other influential figures.

He said Anwar had stressed during the congress that PH’s efforts should not stop at bringing back former leaders.

“The message from the party president, who is also the PH chairman, was that we should not only focus on bringing back the old guard, such as Tian Chua, Dr Xavier and others.

“We also need to bring together the full strength of the coalition,” he said.

Fahmi said reaching out to former leaders and widening the coalition’s support base would be among the approaches PH would use as it prepares for the Melaka polls. - August 24, 2026

Spotlight

Malaysia

Myanmar hotel worker charged over alleged sexual assault of three-year-old Australian boy in Penang

Health

MOH weighs HFMD vaccine strategy as cases plunge 83%

World

Trump links Saudi nuclear deal to Israel recognition as pact heads to Congress

Malaysia

Shah Alam brawl turns deadly as car strikes man after machete attack (video)

Music

‘Queen of Country’, Dolly Parton dies at 80

Sports & Fitness

Global cricket legends urge Pakistan to honour court order on Imran Khan’s medical care

Malaysia

Should PH work with Bersama to defeat a common enemy?

Business

Nation’s economic outlook strengthens as leading index signals continued growth

You may be interested

Malaysia

Malaysian suspect held in Medan over alleged drug-filled vape trafficking

Malaysia

Tabung Haji governance must put depositors first, says Economy Minister

Malaysia

Father and nine-year-old son killed in Kuala Nerus house fire

Malaysia

Malaysia tightens Thailand border security after wave of southern attacks

Malaysia

PH puts Amirudin in charge of Melaka seat talks with BN

Malaysia

3.1-magnitude earthquake strikes off Batu Pahat

Malaysia

Zara Qairina Inquest: Coroner walks out as crucial psychiatric evidence takes centre stage

Malaysia

Regional security takes centre stage as three nations guard vital Melaka Straits