MELAKA: Perikatan Nasional, which is set to announce its election manifesto tomorrow, promises to ensure an all-inclusive plan for everyone.

       State Perikatan chairman Datuk Mohd Rafiq Naizamohideen said the manifesto would include plans for Melaka holistically and show what the coalition could offer to the Melaka people.

       The coalition will be fielding contestants from Mohd Rafiq’s Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, PAS and Gerakan in all 28 seats of the Nov 20 state election.

       “Insya-Allah, nobody will be left behind (in the manifesto) and we will ensure all groups including youth, women and senior citizens of various backgrounds pick Perikatan as their platform,” he told reporters at Masjid Alai here yesterday.

       The manifesto will be launched by Perikatan chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin at the Glenmarie Hotel and Golf Resort in Shah Alam at 5pm.

       Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan announced their respective manifestos on Wednesday.

       Both coalitions have also announced their candidate for chief minister – Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali and Melaka Pakatan chief Adly Zahari, respectively.

       Perikatan, on the other hand, has said they will only announce its chief minister candidate after the state election.

       Mohd Rafiq, who is contesting the Telok Mas seat in a four-way fight, said Perikatan has been receiving positive reception from the public for all its candidates.

       “This could perhaps be that we are fielding more than 50% of the candidates who are below 40 years old and 90% of them are highly educated,” he said.

       On Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan’s comment that the party is willing to work with PAS but not with Bersatu should it win the election, Mohd Rafiq said it was Umno’s right to take such a stand.

       “Despite Umno not wanting to accept Bersatu, PAS is still with us. We will not wait for Umno to agree to work with us.

       “From the initial stage, we had already extended our arms wide open (to Umno) based on the concept of perpaduan ummah (Muslim unity).

       “When they rejected not only Bersatu but other parties in Perikatan, we did not wait for Umno. We will work to strengthen ourselves on our own,” he said.

       Meanwhile, Muhyiddin said Perikatan’s election machinery in Melaka has made ample preparations ahead of polling day, and he urged authorities not to organise roadblocks at state borders.

       “Let those from KL come and vote.

       “I’m worried that if many are not coming out to vote, then who will vote?” he questioned.

       Nevertheless, Muhyiddin said it is necessary to abide by all precautionary measures to ensure there will not be any election-related spike in Covid-19 cases again.

       “I’m urging the people to come out and vote, but abide by all SOPs.”