Melaka polls: PH, Bersatu overlap in four seats

MELAKA – The announcement of eight candidates from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) on Thursday saw four State Legislative Assembly seats contested by the party also being vied for by Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the upcoming Melaka state election on Nov 14.

The four seats are Klebang, Gadek, Ayer Keroh and Pengkalan Batu.

Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali said the party is leaving it to the people of Melaka to decide which candidates are best qualified to represent them in their respective constituencies.

He said Bersatu will not engage in toxic or slanderous politics. Instead, it will offer policies that focus on public welfare, economic growth and job creation.

“We will offer party policies as highlighted by Bersatu vice-president Datuk Dr Mohd Radzi Jidin. We are a party that cares for the people, addressing economic issues, growth and job creation.

“I believe the people of Melaka are mature enough. They have changed the government in the past and we hope that this time they will also be mature and fair enough to give Bersatu an opportunity to represent them,” he said.

He said this at the Bersatu Candidate Announcement Ceremony for the Melaka state election in Klebang on Thursday.

Commenting on the possibility of cooperation with other parties contesting the same seats should Bersatu emerge victorious, Azmin said the overlapping contests naturally mean the parties involved will be competing against one another in the election.

However, he described the competition as a normal part of a healthy democratic process.

“In the context of an election, such overlaps naturally mean that the parties concerned will compete.

“However, we take the stand that this competition is a healthy one within a democratic system.

“Ultimately, let the people decide who should represent them in those areas,” he said.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the Confidence and Supply Agreement (CSA) signed with Bersatu and several opposition MPs serves as a foundation to strengthen political stability and ensure the smooth administration of the nation.

He added that the agreement also paves the way for the effective execution of the national development agenda, including the 2027 Budget, for the benefit of the people.

Previously, the government signed the CSA with six Bersatu MPs led by its president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, alongside seven other MPs, including Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman (Muda), during a meeting at the Parliament building in Kuala Lumpur.