KUALA LUMPUR – Pakatan Harapan (PH) has warmly embraced Barisan Nasional’s (BN) openness to negotiate seat distributions for the upcoming Melaka state election, framing it as a crucial opportunity that demands serious consideration.
PH communications director Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil stressed that BN’s receptive stance should be embraced not just for Melaka’s political stability, but for its broader national significance.
He revealed that direct discussions have already begun at the grassroots level between leadership from both sides.
“The chairman of Keadilan Melaka, Yang Berhormat Adam Adli, also informed that he had been in direct contact with Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusof (regarding the distribution of Melaka State Legislative Assembly seats).
“I think this openness is a good opportunity for us to examine because we know that in Melaka, BN has 21 seats, while PH has five seats. So that is a realistic matter,” he told reporters after officiating the Gotong-royong Mega Perangi Aedes programme in Lembah Pantai today.
Fahmi, who also serves as Communications Minister, noted that several operational and administrative aspects regarding state seat allocation can be smoothly coordinated across both state and federal levels.
The development comes on the heels of BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s statement yesterday confirming the coalition remains open to seat allocations or swaps for the Melaka polls—provided negotiations are conducted with sincerity and without eroding any party’s baseline strength.
Zahid maintained that the core negotiating principle remains unchanged: incumbent seats won by any party must be respected and cannot simply be conceded to political allies. – August 9, 2026