KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 21 — Barisan Nasional (BN) needs a formula suitable to Melaka’s geopolitical landscape in the upcoming state election, said its chairman, Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

The Deputy Prime Minister said the formula does not necessarily have to follow the same model used in the Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections, which resulted in major victories for BN.

He said any negotiations must take into account two aspects, namely benefits and drawbacks.

“We must make sure the benefits gained far outweigh any potential drawbacks. Any negotiations with any party or coalition must look at these aspects. 

“We must be honest, sincere and honour the promises we make, not do the opposite after an agreement has been reached,” he told reporters after the closing ceremony of the Negeri Sembilan Contingent Charity Ride programme with the Ipoh Super Bike Club (ISBC) in conjunction with the 219th Police Day and 69th Merdeka Eve celebrations at the Kuala Lumpur Police Contingent Headquarters here today.

Ahmad Zahid said he had given the mandate to Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh, who is also the Melaka BN chairman, to hold negotiations, with the outcome to be brought to the national level to be looked at in greater detail and finalised.

He said political cooperation at the state level should also be seen in the context of efforts to strengthen political stability at the national level.

He added that, at the national level, cooperation between parties is not only expressed through Cabinet meetings, but also strengthened through coordination between ministries and a whole-of-government approach to ensure that national interests and political stability are maintained.

The mandate of the Melaka state government will expire on Dec 31.

BN formed the state government after winning 21 of the 28 seats in the 15th Melaka state election, followed by Pakatan Harapan (PH) with five seats and Perikatan Nasional (PN) with two.

However, the state executive council line-up also includes PH assemblymen, reflecting the composition of the Unity Government at the federal level. — Bernama