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Malacca DAP draws line against Harapan-Bersatu alliance for state election

The Democratic Action Party has ruled out cooperating with Pakatan Harapan if the coalition allies with Bersatu for the upcoming Malacca state polls. The party made the decision after declining an invitation to attend a Bersatu dinner on Monday.

LSN Malaysia · 1 October 2026

Malacca DAP draws line against Harapan-Bersatu alliance for state election

The Democratic Action Party (DAP) has made clear it will not participate in any electoral pact between Pakatan Harapan and Bersatu for the Malacca state election, drawing what party leaders describe as a hard boundary on the matter.

DAP Malacca Chairman Khoo Poay Tiong said the party had been invited to a Bersatu dinner on Monday but opted to stay away. The decision reflects the party's firm stance against any alliance that would bring together Harapan and the party formerly led by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad.

"This is our red line," Khoo indicated, underscoring the DAP's resolve on the issue. The party's position suggests significant internal tensions within Harapan over potential cooperation with Bersatu, a political move that has proven contentious among the coalition's component parties.

The development comes amid ongoing negotiations over seat allocations and electoral strategies for the Malacca state assembly election. The DAP's firm refusal to work within any Harapan-Bersatu arrangement signals it may pursue alternative political configurations for the state contest or run independently in certain constituencies.