MELAKA - Machinery strength, grassroots influence and the ability to unite Malay votes were the main factors behind the Barisan Nasional (BN) - Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition retaining its mandate in the Melaka state election.
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) School of Social Sciences lecturer Prof Datuk Dr Sivamurugan Pandian said the advantage gave the “two blue giants” extra strength as the political cooperation between the two blocs was successfully translated into vote transfers.
“The Melaka state election is not just a contest between parties but a test of whether votes can be transferred through elite negotiations or are still determined by voter sentiment and confidence.
“The votes of both blocs were successfully transferred, and Pakatan Harapan (PH) faced difficulties,” he told Sinar Ahad.
BN has unofficially secured a two-thirds majority by winning 21 of the 28 state assembly seats to form the state government.
This was announced by Umno secretary-general Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki at the BN operations centre at the Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC) in Ayer Keroh.
BN won Kuala Linggi, Tanjung Bidara, Ayer Limau, Lendu, Taboh Naning, Rembia, Gadek, Machap Jaya, Durian Tunggal and Asahan.
Apart from that, they won Sungai Udang, Pantai Kundor, Kelebang, Pengkalan Batu, Ayer Molek, Duyong, Telok Mas, Rim, Serkam, Merlimau and Sungai Rambai.
Meanwhile, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) political analyst Dr Mohamad Hafis Amat Simin said the cooperation between the coalitions, led by BN chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and PN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, had united Malay voter support and reduced competition between parties in Malay-majority areas.
He said the candidates’ relationships with local residents, their service records and their ability to address local issues such as development, job opportunities and the cost of living could also determine voter support.
“In election politics, unity among leaders does not automatically translate into unity among supporters. Party loyalty, the relationship between candidates and voters and past experiences of rivalry can influence the pattern of vote transfers.
“The ability to coordinate work on the ground, mobilise voters and capitalise on candidates’ ties with the local community enabled the cooperation to win,” he explained.
He also stressed that winning an election is not merely about securing a political mandate. It must be proven through the ability to turn that mandate into stability, development and public wellbeing.
“In an increasingly competitive democracy, the people are not just choosing who governs but also determining how they want to be governed,” he said.