KUALA LUMPUR (Oct 29): The seat allocation issue within Barisan Nasional (BN) involving component party MCA for the upcoming Melaka state election has been resolved, says Melaka BN chairman Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.
He said negotiations had reached an agreement, adding that MCA's participation as the party representing the Chinese community within BN would be refined and enhanced.
"MCA is okay, settled. Done deal. MCA accepts it as it is, and MCA's participation representing the Chinese community will certainly be refined and enhanced, Insya-Allah," he told reporters after attending an Umno Supreme Council meeting at Menara Dato' Onn here on Wednesday night.
Commenting on matters discussed during the meeting, Ab Rauf, who is also Melaka chief minister, said party machinery had been directed to focus election work on the 21 state seats BN is contesting.
He said state executive council members appointed as mentors for specific constituencies have also been tasked with assisting the Melaka BN machinery to secure victory across all contested seats.
"Every vote is crucial for us to defend the 21 seats we are contesting," he said.
Ab Rauf confirmed that an understanding with BN component parties on election ground operations had been finalised.
On Tuesday, Ab Rauf and MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong broke the impasse over seat allocations for the Melaka state election scheduled for next month.
Ab Rauf, who is also Melaka BN election director, described the outcome of the discussions as positive.
MCA had previously stated it would not recognise any party candidates announced by BN for the Melaka polls without the endorsement of its top leadership.
Last Saturday, BN announced its candidates for 21 state seats, including two from MCA, namely Machap Jaya incumbent Datuk Ngwe Hee Sem and Kelebang incumbent Datuk Lim Ban Hong.
Nomination day for the Melaka state election is scheduled for this Saturday, while early voting and polling day have been set for Nov 10 and 14, respectively.
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