BAGAN DATUK, Nov 1 — Barisan Nasional (BN) is prepared to invite Perikatan Nasional (PN) to join the state administration if the coalition succeeds in forming the government in the 16th Melaka State Election on November 14.

BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the approach was taken to respect the people’s mandate and the political understanding reached between the two coalitions, similar to what had previously been implemented in Negeri Sembilan.

“As happened in Negeri Sembilan, when the government was formed, we honoured the appointments to ensure that they (PN) were part of the government. The same happened in Melaka when the previous Unity Government was formed, with our partners in PH (Pakatan Harapan) also appointed as state executive councillors (Exco) and deputy Exco members, but they subsequently decided to leave.

“So we will do the same for PN assemblymen who win their respective seats and, God willing, if we form the government, we will also invite them to be part of the state government,” he told a press conference after attending the 2026 Deepavali Santunan Kasih event at Dewan Umno Bagan Datuk here today.

In this election, BN is contesting 23 of the 28 seats up for grabs, while PN is contesting five seats.

The Election Commission has set November 14 as polling day for the Melaka state election, while early voting will take place on November 10.

For the latest news on the 16th Melaka state election, visit https://election.bernama.com/prn/melaka/2026. — Bernama