BN-PN alliance wins 24 of 28 seats in Melaka election in fresh blow to Anwar

The Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) alliance won 24 of the 28 seats in Melaka's state election on Saturday (Nov 14). The result gives the alliance a two-thirds majority in the state assembly and is another defeat for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's Pakatan Harapan (PH), CNA and The Straits Times reported.

PH won four seats, one fewer than in 2021. Its leading Melaka figure, Adly Zahari, lost his Bukit Katil seat to PN's Muhammad Ridzuan Mohd Sarif, who The Straits Times said was a first-time candidate. CNA described Adly as PH's chief minister candidate. The Straits Times called him the Melaka PH chairman and noted he was chief minister from 2018 to 2020.

According to CNA, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), with which PH had an informal understanding, lost all seven seats it contested. Parti Bersama Malaysia, led by former economy minister Rafizi Ramli, lost all 16 of its contests.

BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also deputy prime minister in Anwar's unity government, told reporters the two coalitions would form the next state government. "This is a hat-trick of wins but it's not a reason to be arrogant," he said, as quoted by CNA, after earlier BN and PN wins in Johor and Negeri Sembilan.

BN and PN split the seats between them, with BN contesting 23 and PN five. Contesting separately in 2021, they won a combined 23 seats. PH fielded candidates in 24 seats. The alliance has nominated caretaker chief minister Ab Rauf Yusoh for a second term, subject to his formal appointment.

The Election Commission said more than 70.1 per cent of Melaka's 687,697 registered voters cast ballots, up from 65.9 per cent in 2021. Analysis by ElectionData.my, cited by The Straits Times, put Malay turnout at 78 per cent, against 58.8 per cent for Chinese voters and 58 per cent for Indian voters.

The campaign took place days after former prime minister Najib Razak moved from prison to house arrest. The Straits Times reported that Najib received a conditional royal pardon in September, subject to payment of a RM50 million fine, which UMNO paid on Nov 6 after a party fund-raising drive. Without naming Najib, Anwar told voters in Ayer Molek: "How mad these times have become, when honest people are insulted and vilified, while the corrupt are praised and glorified."

Adly said PH accepted the result and respected the mandate of Melaka voters. Melaka is the third Malaysian state to hold an election this year, after Johor in July and Negeri Sembilan in August, where PH lost control of the state.

CNA reported that the Election Commission confirmed results for all 28 seats shortly before 11.30pm. Malaysia's next general election must be held by February 2028.

Sources: CNA, BN-PN alliance scores landslide victory in Melaka polls, dealing another setback to PM Anwar; The Straits Times, Malaysia’s BN and ally PN declare victory in Melaka state polls in a blow to PM Anwar.