MELAKA: Melaka Pas is disappointed with the decision by Barisan Nasional (BN) including Umno to go 'solo' in the Melaka state election.
State Pas commissioner Datuk Kamarudin Sidek described the decision as unwise as it would not help towards efforts to champion the cause of Islam and Malay.
"We are disappointed with the decision since we want Umno with us in denying Pakatan Harapan's political grasp.
"Having that said, they have made such a decision.
"Insyallah (God Willing), we will continue to move with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) and Gerakan within the Perikatan Nasional (PN) pact to prevent PH from returning to power in Melaka," he said when contacted today.
Kamarudin, who at the party's 67th Muktamar in Kuala Terengganu, was asked to comment on the statement by BN election director Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan that BN was entering the contest in the Melaka snap polls alone.
BN is fielding 28 candidates including 24 new faces for the state election in Melaka which has 28 state constituencies.
Kamarudin said a three-cornered fight including parties aligned with the federal government is inevitable, following the decision made by BN. This, he said, will also provide advantage for PH in the state election in Melaka.
"We want to avoid three-cornered fight in the state election since it will not benefit the Malays and Islam. However, such an aspiration cannot be achieved for this state election," he said.
When asked on the number of seats to be contested by Pas in the Melaka snap polls, Kamarudin said the party would field its candidates to contest at nine of the 28 state seats. This, he said, was the outcome from the negotiations among parties in PN.
Kamarudin, however, said this would depend on the announcement to be made by PN later today.
It is learnt that PN will unveil its candidates contesting in the Melaka state election during a ceremony which would be held in Shah Alam, Selangor, later today.
