MELAKA – Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has described the coalition's victory in the 16th Melaka state election as a third consecutive electoral success, following its latest gains alongside Perikatan Nasional (PN).
Zahid said the unofficial result as of 9.36pm, which saw BN and PN secure 24 of the 28 state seats, demonstrated that voters continued to place their confidence in the coalition's leadership and political direction.
He described the victory as a hat-trick, while emphasising that the result should be received with humility rather than arrogance.
"This hat-trick, this third consecutive victory, is not a reason for all of us to boast.
"Instead, we accept it with gratitude, humility and a sense of responsibility," he said during his victory speech at the BN Operations Centre at MITC on Saturday.
Zahid said the mandate represented a significant responsibility for both coalitions to deliver on their promises and provide the best possible service to the people of Melaka.
He also credited the cooperation between BN and PN for strengthening their position throughout the election.
The Melaka victory comes amid Zahid's efforts to build political momentum through what he has described as a 'blue wave'.
During the campaign, he had expressed confidence that the BN-PN partnership would deliver a political breakthrough on Nov 14, describing the alliance as a potential game changer capable of reshaping the country's political landscape.
Zahid also urged both coalitions to put their past differences aside and work towards a stronger political partnership, describing their cooperation as the building of a new home together.
The latest result could further strengthen the political standing of both coalitions as they consider their future cooperation beyond Melaka.