BERSATU is seeking cooperation with other political parties ahead of the Melaka state election, signalling that the party may avoid contesting alone as it did in Negeri Sembilan.
A Bersatu leadership source said negotiations with several parties had already begun, although the party had yet to decide which coalition or grouping it would work with.
“We are focusing on working with several other parties first and remain open to working with the existing coalitions,” the source told BH.
The source pointed to Bersatu’s cooperation with Barisan Nasional (BN) in Pahang as an indication that the party was keeping its options open ahead of the Melaka polls.
Bersatu is expected to seek only a limited number of seats, with the source saying the party was targeting two or three constituencies if it contests the election as part of a wider coalition.
“If we are to contest, it needs to be together with a coalition, and perhaps only two or three seats,” the source said.
The move comes after Bersatu contested 24 of the 36 state seats in the Negeri Sembilan election on its own but failed to win any seats.
In the 2021 Melaka state election, Bersatu contested under the PN banner and won two seats — Bemban and Sungai Udang.
Meanwhile, the party’s strategy in Melaka could also have wider implications for its relationship with PN, with PN secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan saying the coalition would discuss Bersatu’s position at a meeting to be held after the PAS muktamar.
“We will hold a meeting to discuss relevant issues, including the issue of Bersatu. We may also discuss its position within PN,” Takiyuddin said in Kota Bharu today.
He said the meeting would be held after the 72nd PAS Central Muktamar.
Takiyuddin also questioned why Bersatu should remain in PN if the party was clearly unwilling to cooperate with the coalition.
“Politically, they are still in PN. They themselves have not taken the approach of walking away. That is the behaviour and attitude of Bersatu, even though their actions are clear when they contested using their own logo in the Negeri Sembilan state election,” he said.
He added that Bersatu was not a founding party of PN and could potentially be removed from the coalition. “Under the PN constitution, any member can be suspended or expelled.”
The developments come as Melaka prepares for its next state election, with Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh previously indicating that the state assembly could be dissolved at any time, although its current mandate will automatically expire in December.
Bersatu’s search for alternative partners, coupled with PN’s review of the party’s position, could reshape opposition cooperation and seat negotiations ahead of the Melaka polls. - September 1, 2026
