PN ready for 3-way fights in Melaka

Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Muhyiddin Yassin today said the coalition is ready to face three-cornered fights in the upcoming election in Melaka, adding that it can no longer wait for other parties to decide on cooperation in the state polls.

Speaking at a press conference, he said the question was whether other parties were prepared or not, adding that PN had already begun planning.

“Time is short,” he said. “The dates for nomination and voting have already been announced.

“For PN as a coalition, this to me is important and we cannot delay. If there is no clear signal, we will proceed according to the decision made by PN.”

He said Bersatu, PAS and Gerakan had also agreed that they were ready to face three-way fights if necessary.

Muhyiddin’s announcement comes amid questions on Barisan Nasional’s stand, especially that of Umno regarding its strategy for the election.

MalaysiaNow reported yesterday that Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was having trouble convincing party leaders in Melaka to go solo in the election slated for Nov 20.

At least 70% of the party’s state committee members had spoken out against Zahid’s recent announcement that Umno would contest the election singlehandedly without PAS and PN.

Earlier today, though, Umno deputy president Mohamad Hasan said the party had yet to decide whether to go solo or to work with other parties in the polls.

He said Umno would wait for a decision by the Supreme Council.

The Melaka state assembly was dissolved on Oct 4 after Chief Minister Sulaiman Md Ali lost the support of the majority following the move by four representatives to withdraw their backing for him.

The four were former chief minister Idris Haron (Sungai Udang), Nor Azman Hassan (Pantai Kundor), Norhizam Hassan Baktee (Pengkalan Batu) and Noor Effandi Ahmad (Telok Mas).