By MIKE PAUL
MELAKA, Nov 15 — The official Melaka state election results confirm that Barisan Nasional (BN) won 21 of the 28 seats in Saturday’s polls, keeping the coalition firmly in control of the state government.
Pakatan Harapan (PH) secured four seats and Perikatan Nasional (PN) three, according to the full tally released by the Election Commission (SPR) late on Saturday (Nov 14). As BN and PN contested as partners, the two coalitions now jointly hold 24 seats, giving them more than a two-thirds majority in the 28-member assembly.
Turnout higher than first shown
SPR said 493,573 voters cast their ballots, a turnout of 71.77 per cent. The figure covers ordinary, early and postal voters, which explains why it is higher than the roughly 70 per cent displayed when polling stations closed.
In its official media statement, signed by chairman Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun, the commission said voting had been carried out freely and fairly, with no incidents affecting the electoral process.
Earlier in the night, at about 9.40pm, SPR had announced that BN had already crossed the 15 seats needed to form the government on its own, confirming the trend seen in the early unofficial count.
Ab Rauf nominated to continue as chief minister
BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said BN and PN had agreed to nominate Tanjung Bidara assemblyman Datuk Seri Dr Ab Rauf Yusoh to stay on as chief minister. Bernama reported that Ab Rauf was scheduled to take his oath of office at Seri Negeri, the office of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri, on Sunday (Nov 15).
BN’s 21 seats match the number it won in the 2021 state election. Based on a breakdown given by Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, Umno accounted for 18 of those seats, MCA two and MIC one.
PN’s three seats, according to BN’s count, were Paya Rumput, Bemban and Bukit Katil. Paya Rumput was among the five seats to watch ahead of polling day, while Bukit Katil was contested by Melaka PH chairman Adly Zahari.
PH holds on to four urban seats
PH retained Ayer Keroh, Kesidang, Bandar Hilir and Kota Laksamana, one fewer than the five seats it won in 2021, even though it fielded the largest number of candidates at 24. Adly said the coalition accepted the outcome and respected the voters’ decision, and that it would now focus on rebuilding its grassroots strength.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who also chairs PH, congratulated BN on the mandate. In a Facebook post cited by Bernama, he said the federal government would continue working closely with the Melaka state government, adding that it was time to move forward “by putting the people’s interests first”.
A total of 79 candidates contested the 28 seats. Parti Bersama Malaysia, Bersatu, Putra and three independent candidates failed to win any seat.
The Melaka state assembly was dissolved on Sept 23, with nominations held on Oct 31 and early voting on Nov 10. – TNS News