Perikatan-BN Melaka state election talks ‘more than 50pc’ complete despite RoS suspension, says Takiyuddin

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 26 — Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) suspension by the Registrar of Societies (RoS) has not affected its negotiations with Barisan Nasional (BN) over cooperation in the coming Melaka state election, with talks now more than halfway complete, PN secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said.

Takiyuddin said discussions with BN were continuing despite the RoS order suspending all PN activities, and that the development had not changed the coalition’s position on pursuing political cooperation.

“I can confirm that it does not affect the cooperation talks, as PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang has said in stressing the need for penyatuan ummah [ummah unity],” he was quoted as saying by Sinar Harian.

“Penyatuan ummah, or the unity of the Malay-Muslim community, has already been accepted by the majority of Malaysians, including non-Malays.

“This is because unity and solidarity create stability. Everyone wants stability,” he said after officiating the Bunut Payung state constituency’s Karnival Cakna Rakyat at Lembah Sireh in Kota Bharu today.

Asked how far negotiations with BN had progressed, Takiyuddin said they had yet to be finalised but had passed the halfway mark.

“No decision has been made yet, but the negotiations have progressed beyond 50 per cent,” he said.

He also denied reports or claims that PN had already been allocated seven seats to contest in the Melaka election.

“That has not been decided and remains under negotiation. But things are positive, and we are optimistic that we can carry out the penyatuan ummah agenda in Melaka,” he said.

The Melaka state assembly was dissolved on September 23, triggering the state’s 16th election, with the Election Commission due to meet on October 7 to set key dates including nomination and polling day.

The RoS suspended all PN activities with effect from September 23, a day after issuing the coalition with a show-cause notice over a complaint lodged by Bersatu.

The regulator has stressed that PN’s registration has not been cancelled and that the coalition has been given time to respond to the complaint.

Bersatu had lodged a complaint with the RoS over allegations that it was excluded from a PN supreme council meeting on July 16, including issues concerning its membership status in the coalition.