KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 26 — Barisan Nasional (BN) will hold separate talks with two different groups next week as it weighs possible political partnerships ahead of the Melaka state election, chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said today.

Zahid declined to identify either group, leaving open whether the meetings would involve Perikatan Nasional (PN), Pakatan Harapan (PH) or other parties.

According to Sinar Harian, he said BN headquarters had arranged the meetings for different dates and times.

“Next week, the headquarters has arranged two separate meetings, on different dates and at different times. Two different groups,” he said.

“We have only just started discussions, so how can we disclose anything yet? Let us discuss it first. We will inform [Melaka BN chairman] Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.”

Asked whether BN would hold talks directly with PAS following PN’s suspension by the Registrar of Societies, Zahid said the matter should be decided by PN’s chairman and secretary-general.

“I leave that matter to the secretary-general and the PN chairman to decide, but we would be more comfortable dealing with an individual party rather than a coalition that is no longer intact,” he said.

His remarks come as PN secretary-general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan said separately today that the coalition’s suspension had not affected its negotiations with BN, adding that the talks were more than halfway complete.

When asked which potential partner was closest to reaching an agreement with BN, Zahid said no decision had yet been made.

“That will be examined further, and we have to weigh the risks and what is reasonable, and determine which carries greater weight,” he said.

“As a political coalition under the BN banner, we naturally want to look at the medium- and long-term benefits for the country, and particularly for the parties in our coalition.”

Melaka’s 28-seat state assembly was dissolved on September 23, paving the way for the state’s 16th election. 

Under the state constitution, polling must be held within 60 days of dissolution, meaning by November 22. 

The Election Commission is due to meet on October 7 to set the nomination and polling dates.