PETALING JAYA: Amid speculation that DAP was not at Pakatan Harapan's election candidate announcement as a sign of protest, Opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim says this was because the party had already announced their candidates.

       "We have prepared a reasonable machinery consisting of DAP, Parti Amanah Negara and PKR.

       "Lim Guan Eng and DAP sent us their regards as they announced it (the candidates) earlier in Kuala Lumpur.

       "The names DAP announced are under Pakatan," said Anwar during a press conference on Saturday (Nov 6).

       DAP had announced its six candidates who will contest in the Melaka State Election on Friday (Nov 5).

       Anwar was seated next to Amanah president Mohamad Sabu but DAP was noticeably absent during the press conference.

       This raised questions over Anwar and Mohamad's decision to allow former chief minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron and Datuk Nor Azman Hassan to contest under the Pakatan banner at Asahan and Pantai Kundor respectively.

       During the announcement, Anwar also said Idris was now officially a PKR member, while Nor Azman was an Amanah member.

       DAP leaders had been vocal against the prospect of Pakatan accepting the four assemblymen who triggered the collapse of the state government, with Ramkarpal Singh on Nov 1 saying that fielding such candidates in the state polls would be a liability.

       Previously, Idris and three other former Melaka assemblymen, namely Nor Azman, Datuk Norhizam Baktee and Datuk Noor Effandi Ahmad, retracted support for the Perikatan state government, triggering its subsequent collapse.

       In another press conference held by Malaysian United Democratic Alliance's (Muda), Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman had criticised Pakatan for accepting the two assemblymen.

       He said Muda would abstain from contesting in the Melaka state elections as a sign of protest towards Pakatan's decision to field political "frogs".

       "Muda rejects politics without principles... We don't want to prioritise seats over principles," he said during the press conference that took place outside Parliament in Kuala Lumpur.

       There were mixed reactions from analysts on the matter, with some saying Idris and Nor Azman could be advantageous to Pakatan's campaign, given their political experience.

       However, Universiti Malaya's political analyst Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi begged to differ.

       "There will definitely be adverse effects on PKR if they accept 'party hoppers' because Pakatan is supposed to be against party-hopping," said Dr Awang.

       Universiti Teknologi Malaysia political analyst Dr Azmi Hassan explained that Idris and Nor Azman's background as former Umno leaders could possibly sway some Malay votes to Pakatan.

       However, he warned that DAP supporters may penalise PKR and Amanah for accepting party-hoppers into Pakatan.

       "As I see it, it is a taboo for Umno to support DAP and for DAP to support Umno. DAP supporters could penalise PKR and Amanah in the state election.

       "So, I think it is an unwise decision."

       Following announcements made by political bigwigs on Saturday (Nov 6), it is clear that Barisan Nasional, Perikatan Nasional and Pakatan will clash in all 28 seats.

       PAS and Barisan is set to clash in eight seats – Kuala Linggi, Taboh Naning, Durian Tunggal, Kelebang, Bukit Katil, Duyong, Serkam and Merlimau.

       Barisan and Bersatu will clashing in 15 seats – Tanjung Bidara, Ayer Limau, Lendu, Rembia, Godek, Machap Jaya, Sungai Udang, Pantai Kundor, Paya Rumput, Pengkalan Batu, Ayer Molek, Telok Mas, Bemban, Rim and Sungai Rambai.

       Barisan had earlier announced that it would contest all 28 seats, with Umno taking on 20, MCA (seven) and MIC (one).

       Nominations for the Melaka state election is on Nov 8, while polling has been set for Nov 20.