Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, as such, urged all quarters, including political analysts, to not speculate on the party’s position in the polls. -NSTP/AMIR MAMAT
Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, as such, urged all quarters, including political analysts, to not speculate on the party’s position in the polls. -NSTP/AMIR MAMAT

MASJID TANAH: Political cooperation involving Umno and Barisan Nasional with other political parties in the Melaka election, which will take place on Nov 20, will be finalised soon.

Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, as such, urged all quarters, including political analysts, to not speculate on the party's position in the polls.

"So far, we are focusing on the winning capability of our candidates in the election based on science and data through figures obtained from the 13th and 14th general elections, as well as from the projections that we have made for the state election.

"Therefore, there should be no speculation from any political analyst to determine the stand (on political cooperation) of Umno and BN in facing this state election.

"The final decision will be announced when the political bureau and its supreme working council meet, which will be followed by the (party's) Supreme Council meeting and this will be followed by the BN Supreme Council which will be held next week or before nomination day," he said.

Zahid told this to reporters after launching the state Umno election machinery in Kampung Pulau, here, today.

Also present were party vice-president Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin; Wanita Chief Datuk Seri Dr Noraini Ahmad; Puteri chief Datuk Zahida Zarik Khan; secretary-general Datuk Seri Ahmad Maslan and Melaka Umno liaison chairman Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.

Zahid stressed that Umno is open to political cooperation in the state election, but such a decision should be taken collectively and will be done when the time comes.

Meanwhile, he ordered all party machinery to be mobilised from today following the setting of the nomination, election and early voting dates by the Election Commission (EC), yesterday.

The EC has set Nov 20 as the polling day for the Melaka state election, while the nomination day is Nov 8 and early voting is on Nov 16.

Zahid said Umno has also placed machinery and party workers from other states in every state constituency contested by the party and BN.

"This time, the Melaka election will certainly see an unfamiliar landscape based on the current political situation.

"For me, all the state constituencies in Melaka are 'hot' (seats) and we will work hard in those areas to ensure a victory in the polls," he said.

The state election is being held following the dissolution of the state assembly after four government lawmakers withdrew support for Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali.

The quartet were Umno's Datuk Seri Idris Haron (Sungai Udang assemblyman) and Datuk Nor Azman Hassan (Pantai Kundor), Bersatu's Datuk Noor Effandi Ahmad (Telok Mas) and independent assemblyman Datuk Norhizam Hassan Baktee.

Idris, Nor Azman and Noor Effandi have since been sacked by their respective parties for their actions.

On Oct 5, the Election Commission (EC) received an official notification on the dissolution of the 14th State Assembly.

A state election must be held within 60 days from the date of the dissolution.

The State Assembly was dissolved by Speaker, Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh on Oct 4, after it was agreed by Yang Dipertua Negeri, Tun Mohd Ali Rustam.

Before dissolution, the government bench had 17 representatives – 14 from Umno, two from Bersatu and one independent.

The opposition Pakatan Harapan (PH) had 11 representatives – seven from DAP and two each from PKR and Amanah.

The state assembly has 28 seats and a simple majority would require a pact to garner 15 seats.

In GE 14, Pakatan Harapan won the most seats, forming the first non-BN state government on May 11, 2018.

However, the PH state government lost its majority on March 2, which saw the BN form a new state government until its dissolution on Oct 4.

#KW: Melaka, state election, Umno, BN, Ahmad Zahid Hamidi