MELAKA Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh has ruled out holding any meeting with PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, whose visit to the state has drawn attention amid speculation over possible political alliances ahead of the expected Melaka state election.
Ab Rauf, who is also Melaka Chief Minister, said Abdul Hadi was in the state on party business, including to attend a PAS Melaka charity dinner at a hotel in Ayer Keroh on Sunday evening.
“There is no meeting, no. His meetings are with his party. As of now, there is no meeting,” he said after closing the 14th Chief Minister’s Sayang Rakyat Roadshow at the Machap Jaya state constituency at the FELDA Tun Ghafar Menggong Hall Alor Gajah on Sunday.
Abdul Hadi, who is also the Marang MP, was previously reported to be visiting Melaka to attend the PAS Melaka Charity Dinner.
His presence has attracted political attention as the Melaka state election is expected to be held in the near future.
Speculation has been mounting over whether BN and PAS, through Perikatan Nasional (PN), could form an electoral partnership for the upcoming Melaka election following the understanding forged between the two sides during the Negeri Sembilan state election on Aug 1.
The cooperation enabled the BN-PN alliance to form the state government.
No final decision has yet been reached on a similar arrangement for Melaka, while Pakatan Harapan (PH) has also been reported to be seeking cooperation with BN in the coming state election.
Earlier, Abdul Hadi said any cooperation between BN and PN ahead of the Melaka election should take into account PAS’ services and contributions to previous political platforms, including in Johor and Negeri Sembilan.
He said all factors needed to be considered in the ongoing negotiations with BN, which he described as showing positive progress.
Meanwhile, Ab Rauf, who is also Melaka UMNO liaison committee chairman, said the State Legislative Assembly would be dissolved to pave the way for the election when the appropriate time came, in accordance with the prescribed timeframe. - August 23, 2026
