Pakatan Harapan (PH) has not ruled out clashes with Bersatu in the Melaka state election, despite an understanding between the two sides.
Melaka PKR acting state chairman Adam Adli Abd Halim said clashes could occur in seats beyond the seven PH has decided not to contest.
Adam Adli, who is also PKR communications director, said PH’s decision to contest only 21 of the 28 state seats did not mean it had deliberately left the remaining seven for Bersatu.
“When Bersatu expressed its intention to contest in Melaka, there could be clashes between PH and the party. We decided to contest 21 seats because that matches our current capability.
“We do not want to send the wrong message, as if we deliberately vacated the seven seats for Bersatu, but it is up to them. In fact, if there are overlapping seats between PH and Bersatu, there is no problem.
“I personally expect clashes, but if Bersatu wants to play safe, they can just take those seven seats,” he told Berita Harian.
PH to contest 21 seats
PH has announced that it will contest 21 seats, with PKR fielding candidates in nine, DAP in seven and Amanah in five.
PKR’s seats are Tanjung Bidara, Rembia, Asahan, Paya Rumput, Kelebang, Machap Jaya, Ayer Molek, Rim and Serkam.
DAP will contest Ayer Keroh, Kesidang, Kota Laksamana, Banda Hilir, Gadek, Duyong and Pengkalan Batu, while Amanah will field candidates in Kuala Linggi, Durian Tunggal, Bukit Katil, Telok Mas and Merlimau.
The seven seats PH will not contest are Ayer Limau, Lendu, Taboh Naning, Sungai Udang, Pantai Kundor, Duyong and Bemban.
No electoral pact with Bersatu
Adam Adli, who is also deputy higher education minister, said PH’s decision to contest 21 seats was not influenced by external parties or an electoral pact, contrary to earlier speculation.
He said Bersatu remained free to decide how many seats it wanted to contest, as the two parties had not established an electoral pact.
If PH and Bersatu both decided to field candidates in the same seat, that would be a matter for Bersatu to decide, he said, citing the spirit of democracy.
“For these remaining seven seats, we do not have an electoral pact. We merely asked each other if there were seats they wished to contest. For PH, the principle is simple: no seat should go uncontested.
“That means no candidate should win uncontested. Otherwise, we disrupt the entire electoral process in this state election,” he said.
Adam Adli said every state seat should have at least a straight fight to ensure voters had a choice.
Meanwhile, a Bersatu source also indicated that seat clashes with PH were possible but declined to elaborate.
