MIC announced it will defend its single seat in the Gadek constituency in the upcoming Melaka state election and is considering contesting additional seats based on candidate suitability and winning chances. The party has begun election preparations including identifying voters, especially core supporters, and assessing key campaign issues. MIC won Gadek in the 2021 Melaka election with a 559-vote margin under the Barisan Nasional (BN) banner. Datuk Seri M Saravanan, MIC deputy president, said, "Any decision on additional seats to be contested by MIC in the Melaka state election has yet to be finalised as the matter is still under consideration by the party leadership" [1, 2].
Pakatan Harapan (PH) secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said he may discuss electoral cooperation with BN chairman Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh once the Melaka chief minister returns from a working visit to New Zealand. Saifuddin described his relationship with Ab Rauf as a long-standing friendship marked by frequent contact and social visits for asam pedas meals. He said, "If I go to Melaka, I have to stop by his house and have Mak Leha’s asam pedas with him. So we are always in touch. During our conversations, we discuss various matters. As the Melaka election is approaching, we may broach the subject" [3, 4, 5, 6].
BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi remains open to honest seat negotiations for the Melaka election, emphasizing respect for the seats each party has won. He said, "The basic principle guiding the negotiations is that seats won by any party should be respected and not simply handed over to political partners" [3, 6]. PH communications director Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil welcomed BN's openness, noting the realistic basis for discussions with BN holding 21 seats in Melaka and PH five. Fahmi stated, "I think this openness presents a good opportunity for us to consider, because we know that in Melaka, BN has 21 seats, while PH has five. So, that is something realistic" [3, 6].
PH Melaka chairman Adly Zahari said the form of cooperation and seat allocations have not yet been finalized. PH has held internal meetings but no talks with Melaka BN so far. He said PH remains open to cooperate aligned with the Malaysia Madani agenda [5].
BN chairman Zahid Hamidi first announced BN’s openness to seat negotiations on August 8, followed by MIC's confirmation to defend Gadek on August 16. Saifuddin’s comments about possible talks came on August 18 after the chief minister’s return from New Zealand [3, 6, 1, 2, 4, 5].
