Malaysia’s Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) have formally signed a memorandum of understanding to form a strategic partnership to contest the Melaka state election together. This is the two political coalitions’ third collaboration this year, following the Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections.
UMNO secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki said in a Facebook post on Wednesday (29 October) that the two sides had signed the memorandum that evening. “BN and PAS, representing PN’s component parties, have signed a memorandum of understanding in preparation for the 16th Melaka state election.”
Asyraf said, “May the spirit of Muslim unity and the blue wave continue to grow during the Melaka election, bringing prosperity and stability to the state and its people.”
PAS refers to Malaysia’s opposition Parti Islam SeMalaysia.
Those attending the signing ceremony were BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, BN secretary-general Zambry Abd Kadir, UMNO secretary-general Asyraf, PN secretary-general Takiyuddin bin Haji Hassan and PAS vice-president Idris bin Ahmad.
Separately, Asyraf told reporters after an UMNO Supreme Council meeting at the party’s headquarters on Wednesday that BN and PN had agreed to issue a joint election manifesto. He and PN secretary-general Takiyuddin had signed the manifesto, with BN chairman Ahmad Zahid witnessing the signing.
Asyraf said the joint manifesto put forward by BN and PN for the 16th Melaka state election would be unveiled after nominations close this weekend (31 October).
He said the UMNO Supreme Council had unanimously agreed to forge political cooperation and consensus with PAS and PN’s other component parties to contest the Melaka election. The council had also instructed all party members to give their full support to all candidates who would represent PN in the contest for state seats in Melaka.
