PERIKATAN Nasional is ready to form the Malacca government following two Pakatan Harapan assemblymen’s declaration of support.

State Umno liaison chief Ab Rauf Yusof said the pact, which includes the Barisan Nasional lynchpin and Bersatu, has the numbers to take over the state government with the backing of PKR’s Muhammad Jailani Khamis and Norhizam Hassan Baktee of DAP.

The duo’s support, along with Bersatu’s two seats courtesy of Mohd Rafiq Naizamohideen and Noor Effandi Ahmad, and Umno with 13, brings Perikatan Nasional’s tally in the state assembly to 17.

PH, minus the seats held by Jailani and Norhizam, has 11.

Following the collapse of the PH federal government last week, the coalition’s Malacca chapter was left with 13 state seats, equal to BN’s.

However, Paya Rumput’s Rafiq and Rembia’s Jailani had not clearly stated whether they would continue as part of the PH state administration.

The state assembly comprises eight DAP reps, PKR (3), Amanah (2), Umno (13) and Bersatu (2).

Speaking to reporters in Malacca this evening, Rauf said he, former chief minister Idris Haron, Rafiq and Noor Effandi have met Governor Mohd Khalil Yaakob to convey their intention to form a new state government.

“We now not only have 13 (seats held by Umno) plus two (Bersatu), but also another two (DAP and PKR)... We have 17 now,” he said, flanked by the 17 reps.

Jailani, meanwhile, said he and Norhizam are not quitting their parties, but supporting the new state administration in their individual capacity. – March 2, 2020.