AMPANG, Aug 29 — Pakatan Harapan (HARAPAN) is prepared to negotiate with Barisan Nasional (BN) on potential collaboration to face the upcoming Melaka state election, said Selangor Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari.
Amirudin, who is also the HARAPAN election director, said he had contacted Melaka BN chairman Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh on the matter.
He, however, said the matter is dependent on the party's policy decision before further discussions could continue.
"The negotiations will take place when Rauf is ready. I have actually contacted him and he informed me that he is waiting for several policy decisions at the UMNO and BN central levels to continue discussions and so on," he told the media after launching the Madani Kita Program with the Ampang Jaya community.
The Gombak MP also highlighted that any political party that wants to work together must be genuine and not set conditions for seat distribution before negotiating.
Amirudin stressed that negotiations will be affected if any party continues to demand seats without considering the sacrifices of other partners.
"We were sincere in discussing during the PRN and hope there is sincerity when we discuss elsewhere. So remember, we in Johor, in Selangor, are sincere in also providing victory in areas that have been won.
"Don't set conditions before discussing. Contesting (allocating seats) only in areas where we lost, it's difficult. In Selangor, we give areas that we have won to BN.
"So sincerity has to be seen, a reflection of oneself too. We are open to discussing and I support it but each of us has to be genuine," he added.
On August 25, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim gave Amirudin the mandate to steer the form of collaboration between the coalition and BN.
The state election must be held following the Melaka government's mandate ending on December 31.
During the 15th Melaka election in 2021, BN formed the state government after gaining a majority at 21 out of 28 state seats, followed by Harapan with five seats and Perikatan Nasional won two.
