PERIKATAN Nasional (PN) hopes that its ties with Barisan Nasional (BN) will not be affected at the federal government level following a flurry of attacks on lynchpin Umno in the Malacca elections over the last few days.

PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin said he hoped Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob will be able to work well with ministers from BN and PN regardless of the outcome of the state elections.

“It is a bit unusual for a coalition in the federal government to contest against each other but this is for the sake of the country and it is being done to ensure some stability.

“I think this is okay as far as the federal government is concerned. Hopefully, it will not create any issue and the prime minister can work with the rest of the cabinet members from BN or PN,” he told the media after the launch of PN’s election manifesto today in Subang.

Muhyddin said the decision to contest separately in the polls had been made by both BN and PN.

“We have to respect that,” he said.

Last Thursday, Muhyiddin in a scathing attack blamed Umno for the collapse of the state government and said he could have pulled the plug on the Johor-led Umno government after the BN lynchpin withdrew support for his PN administration.

He said he was not a vindictive person as he personally suggested an Umno man should replace him for the top post after losing majority support in Parliament.

Muhyiddin said despite having a choice to dissolve the government and call for fresh elections, he went against that option and, instead, nominated Umno’s Ismail Sabri Yaakob as the next prime minister.

“If I was malicious and looking out only for our political interest, I could do the same to the state of Johor just by getting two assemblymen out and making the current Johor government collapse.

“But I don’t want to act stupid and have bad intentions to create the same problem in Johor. Not because it is my state but this is to preserve the welfare and interests of the people,” Muhyiddin added.

In its manifesto, PN promised to lift the state’s economy and to help maintain tahfiz schools.

“As a historical city, Malacca is a well-known state for tourism and because it is so popular, its roads are always congested.

“PN will build more multi-storey parking to reduce traffic. We will increase the quality and capacity of stop-transit, vehicle-free day in the state as well as to promote Malacca as a recreational destination, such as for extreme sports and water sports.

“PN will pay attention to the management of tahfiz schools and to ensure a conducive environment, maintenance will be provided to all registered tahfiz schools.

“A one-off RM200 cash handout will also be given to tahfiz teachers, kafa teachers and kindergarten teachers registered under the state religious body,” said Muhyiddin.

He added that PN will announce its candidate a day before polling day. 

PN is involved in fights against its ally at the federal level, BN, as well as opposition pact PH in all 28 seats.

Of the 28 seats contested by PN, Bersatu is contesting in 15, PAS is taking eight and Gerakan, five.

Parti Perikatan India Muslim Nasional (Iman) will stand in one seat and Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra), led by Ibrahim Ali, is contesting five seats.

Twenty-two independent candidates will participate in the state polls on November 20. – November 14, 2021.