Kuala Lampur, Aug. 10 -- The statement by Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi that Melaka BN is prepared to hold discussions with any coalition ahead of the coming state election deserves more attention than the usual arithmetic of seat allocation.

Zahid has reportedly authorised Melaka BN chairman Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh to negotiate with other coalitions.

He has also acknowledged the obvious: seat allocation is invariably one of the most difficult parts of any electoral negotiation, although differences can be overcome through serious discussion.

The larger question is therefore not whether BN can negotiate. It is what kind of Malaysia BN wants those negotiations to produce.

This matters especially as Malaysia a...