AS the end of the Melaka state election draws near, it’s turning out to be a competition between Barisan Nasional (BN) and Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalitions, while Perikatan Nasional (PN) is expected to be playing a splinter role.
The election is expected to be a platform for both coalitions, which had ruled the state in the last three years to measure their respective strength and level of support from the voters, following the sudden withdrawal of support from pro-government lawmakers.
With the 15th General Election (GE15) is approaching, the UMNO-led BN is looking to prove that the coalition still has a place in the hearts of the people, and Melaka is the main battlefield for the party to do just that.
An independent analyst Hafiizh Putera Ahmad said that the Umno-led BN coalition will find it more challenging to win now that sometime-ally PAS has decided to join up with former friend Bersatu under the PN banner.
“In my opinion, I see this election as a platform for both coalitions to measure their strengths, whether they can garner great support from the voters. It is definitely a fight between BN and PH, while PN will only be a spoiler that would reduce the vote majority for either side,” he told FocusM.
Hafiizh Putra said he noticed that said the polls candidacy scenario which has led to three-cornered clashes will probably drag on to GE15, when there is no election pact, especially between UMNO and Bersatu.
He said the outcome of the Melaka state polls will also give a true picture of Bersatu and PAS’ strategy to be taken in GE15.
Out of the 28 seats contested, Hafiizh Putera said Umno is contesting under BN in 20 seats in the election while its component partner, MCA is contesting in seven and MIC in one seat in the 28-seat assembly.
PN, anchored by Bersatu which is led by ex-prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, and PAS, will contest all 28 seats. PAS alone is contesting in eight seats.
The four-party PH — consisting of DAP, PKR, Amanah, and Sabah-based Upko — is also contesting all the seats. PKR is fielding candidates in 11 seats, nine for Amanah and eight for DAP.
The PH coalition has named its state chief and Amanah leader Adly Zahari as its chief minister candidate. The Bukit Katil defender had been its chief minister for the 22 months PH was in power after the 2018 general election.
The BN is backing Umno’s Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali who was the immediate past chief minister.
The election is being held following the dissolution of the State Assembly on Oct 4, after four assemblymen withdrew their support for then chief minister, Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali.
The polling station closed at 5.30pm with a 61% voter turnout. – Nov 20, 2021
