BARISAN Nasional (BN) has pledged to resolve its dispute with MCA over candidate selection for the Melaka state election before nomination day, following the party’s objection to candidates being announced without its approval.
BN secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said he had met Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh and MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong to discuss the disagreement, expressing confidence that a solution could be reached through consensus.
“We confirm that this will be resolved before nomination day. God willing, we will handle the matter well,” he told reporters after the Higher Education Ministry’s monthly assembly today.
Zambry said BN preferred to settle internal differences through private discussions rather than public confrontation, adding that the coalition would not allow the dispute to divide it in the Melaka polls.
The disagreement followed Wee’s criticism of BN’s announcement of candidates without consultation and MCA’s consent. He also claimed that seats previously contested by MCA had been allocated to other parties.
The dispute has cast uncertainty over the candidacies of two MCA incumbents announced by BN on Saturday night: Ngwe Hee Sem in Machap Jaya and Lim Ban Hong in Klebang.
At the 2021 Melaka state election, MCA contested seven seats and won only Machap Jaya and Klebang. - October 27, 2026