JOHOR BARU: Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) and Umno need to come up with a formula to divide and allocate disputed seats fairly among themselves in the Melaka state election and other polls to come, says Dr Mohd Mazri Yahya.

       The PAS national committee member said there were only a few seats that are being disputed by the two parties and they should find a way to address the issue.

       "Do not sacrifice the country for only a few seats.

       "Bersatu and Umno need to sit together to find a formula that could best address the issue of the seats, which has become a source of disagreement.

       "The discussion is not only important for the parties involved but also for the whole country, which wants political stability," he said.

       Dr Mazri, who is also PAS state deputy chairman, said this to the press after handing over basic aid to more than 50 Johor Baru Perikatan Nasional division chiefs for some 1,000 families in need on Friday (Oct 8).

       He said this when asked to comment on Ummo president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi statement's on Wednesday (Oct 6), where Ahmad Zahid said that Umno would not cooperate with Bersatu in the Melaka polls.

       Ahmad Zahid's statement came after Melaka Umno state liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said that he welcomed cooperation with Perikatan Nasional (PN) but Umno was also ready to contest alone.

       On Tuesday (Oct 5), Ab Rauf, who is also Melaka Legislative Assembly Speaker confirmed that Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Dr Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam had agreed to dissolve the assembly.

       This came after former Melaka chief minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron and three other assemblymen – Pantai Kundor’s Datuk Nor Azman Hassan, Telok Mas’ Noor Effandi Ahmad and Pengkalan Batu’s Datuk Norhizam Hassan Baktee – announced that they had lost confidence in Sulaiman's leadership on Monday (Oct 4).

       On another matter, Dr Mazri also said that Umno is welcome to join Perikatan.

       "Our doors are always open for Umno, until the very end when they come to a decision.

       "We hope that all parties can be reunited and work together so that we can maintain stability in the country for the people.

       "That is also what the public wants to see, all parties working together and focusing on addressing the people's plight," he said.