MELAKA BN chairman Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh has urged political parties to set aside negotiations conducted through social media and return to the negotiating table to discuss possible cooperation ahead of the next state election.
Ab Rauf, who is also Melaka Chief Minister, said the state election would be approached under the 'BN Plus' framework, which remained open to any party prepared to engage in negotiations and explore ways of forging stronger political cooperation.
He said political discussions conducted publicly through social media risked creating unhealthy perceptions and should instead be held directly between party leaders.
“We are open to negotiations conducted properly. We should not negotiate through social media because it could create unhealthy perceptions.
“Anyone can come forward for negotiations. There is no need to voice it on social media because they have not met me or the party chairman, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi,” he said after the closing ceremony of the Wakil Rakyat Untuk Rakyat (WRUR) Tangga Batu parliamentary constituency: Kampung Kita programme at the grounds of Hang Jebat Stadium in Melaka on Saturday.
Ab Rauf, who is also Tanjung Bidara assemblyman, said BN Melaka would defend the 21 seats it currently held, including those won in the previous state election.
He said no final decision had been made on seat allocations, with BN prepared to assess and study any proposal before expressing its position, particularly if an arrangement could deliver positive returns for both political parties.
He also urged all parties, whether they currently had a political understanding with BN or not, to keep the door open to amicable negotiations.
Ab Rauf said Melaka's political dynamics should not be determined solely by the results of the parliamentary election, pointing out that BN had continued working to win public confidence and provide effective service to voters.
“Certainly, that scenario cannot be used as a measure for determining the seat allocation that will take place in the Melaka state election,” he said.
Asked whether PAS had approached BN for negotiations, Ab Rauf said no formal discussions had taken place so far.
“We have not held any formal negotiations yet. Not yet. But I hope we temporarily stop conducting political negotiations through social media. Let us negotiate at the negotiating table in a more prudent manner,” he said. - August 9, 2026
