BN-PN pact expected in Melaka even as Umno delays talks

Melaka will go to the polls soon, after its state assembly was dissolved on Wednesday. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: Analysts expect Umno and PAS to forge an electoral pact for the upcoming Melaka polls, with both parties seen as having little appetite to compete against each other for Malay-majority seats.

Mazlan Ali.

Despite Umno stalling on announcing its ally, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia’s Mazlan Ali said all signs point to a direct arrangement with PAS.

“At the recent Umno general assembly, PAS was invited, not (Perikatan Nasional’s other component party,) Wawasan,” he told FMT.

Mazlan said PAS was likely to cut a deal with Umno before allocating seats between components parties in PN, which the Islamic party chairs.

He said this would spare Umno from having to accommodate too many parties in seat negotiations, leaving PAS to deal with that task instead.