KUALA LUMPUR – Perikatan Nasional (PN) is ready to face three-cornered fights in next month’s Melaka polls, said chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
In a press conference today, he said this is after Barisan Nasional (BN) remains undecided on cooperating with his coalition in state polls.
The Pagoh lawmaker said the entire PN machinery, which comprises Bersatu, PAS and Gerakan, has agreed to continue with the alliance’s agenda that has been agreed on the national level.
“We are ready to cooperate, but the question remains – is the other party (BN) ready to cooperate or not? There isn’t a clear and firm answer.
“We are short on time; the nomination and polling dates have been announced.
“As a coalition in PN, we can’t procrastinate anymore. If there is no clear signal (from BN), we will follow decisions made by PN at the national level.”
Muhyiddin’s comments come after Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced that his party and BN are undecided on political alliances as the Melaka election looms.
Zahid revealed that the party’s official decision will be announced after Umno and BN Supreme Council members have met.
In addition, Muhyiddin expressed he intends to make peace and collaborate with parties that would like to work together with PN.
“We are warriors (pejuang), not the Pejuang party, in the political arena. But in politics, we must face the reality.
“We welcome the unity of ummah, but in politics, there is no such thing. There is only the importance and unity of respective parties.
“We have reached a decision, but when nomination day comes, we will see what will happen. We will see if there will be an alliance or otherwise. But as a political coalition, PN is ready to face three-way fights.”
On the political turmoil in Melaka after four assemblymen withdrew their support for the Umno-led state leadership earlier this month, triggering snap polls, he said it had angered the people of the historical state.
“I am not from Melaka but I have many relatives from around here. They are quite angry with what has happened. From what I see of the political situation in Melaka, the state election was caused by the actions of irresponsible individuals. We are still in the midst of a pandemic.
“There is no room to think about a power struggle that will affect the lives of the people, but it has happened.”
On Monday, the Election Commission (EC) set November 20 as polling day for the state and November 8 for nomination, giving parties 12 days to campaign.
EC chairman Datuk Abdul Ghani Salleh said early voters can cast their ballots on November 16. – The Vibes, October 21, 2021
