Barisan Nasional (BN) will only begin formal discussions on political cooperation for the Melaka election after the state legislative assembly is dissolved, said state BN chairman Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.
Rauf said the position was in line with the decision by BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who had entrusted him with the matter.
“We’ll open negotiations once the assembly is dissolved. Don’t panic, negotiations will definitely take place soon. There will be no formal negotiations before the assembly is dissolved,” he said when contacted.
Zahid had previously said BN would determine its political cooperation for the Melaka election only after the assembly is dissolved, leaving the matter to Rauf.
The development comes after Pakatan Harapan (PH) election director Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said yesterday that the coalition had yet to receive any official indication from BN on a possible collaboration.
Amirudin said PH was nevertheless prepared to contest the Melaka election on its own if necessary.

