Khairy sees Melaka polls as stepping stone for BN-PN to recapture Putrajaya
The former Umno Youth Chief said Melaka would be another important test of whether grassroots supporters could accept and fully support the cooperation between Umno and Pas.
DUYONG – Former Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin sees the Melaka state election as more than a fight for control of the state, but a crucial test of whether Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) can work together to reclaim Putrajaya in the 16th General Election (GE16).
He said the cooperation between the two coalitions could strengthen Malay-Muslim political unity and pave the way for a bigger political comeback at the federal level.
"Our stakes in Melaka are not just about deciding who becomes the Duyong assemblyman or who forms the state government.
"We want to bring this blue wave all the way to GE16 and recapture Putrajaya," he said while campaigning alongside BN's incumbent Duyong assemblyman Datuk Mohd Noor Helmy Abdul Halem on Monday, Nov 9.
Khairy, who is former Science, Technology and Innovation Minister, said Melaka would be another important test of whether grassroots supporters could accept and fully support the cooperation between Umno and Pas.
He pointed to their joint electoral efforts in Negeri Sembilan, saying Melaka was the next opportunity to see whether the same cooperation could translate into votes.
He urged supporters of both coalitions to respect the agreed seat allocations and vote for each other's candidates, stressing that political cooperation would mean little without support at the ballot box.
Khairy also dismissed concerns that the BN-PN cooperation would sideline non-Malay and non-Muslim communities.
He said the alliance was not simply a combination of Umno and Pas, pointing out that both coalitions also comprised multiracial component parties, including MCA, MIC and Gerakan.
"Do not worry, because this is not merely a combination between Pas and Umno. This is an alliance between BN and PN. It is not just for the Malays, but for the future of Malaysia," he added.
The Election Commission (EC) has set Nov 14 as polling day for the Melaka state election, following the dissolution of the 28-seat State Legislative Assembly on Sept 23.
Nomination day was held on Oct 31, while early voting is scheduled for today (Nov 10). The 14-day campaign period will end at 11.59pm on Nov 13.
A total of 79 candidates are contesting for all 28 state assembly seats. A coalition needs at least 15 seats to secure a simple majority and form the state government, while 19 seats are needed for a two-thirds majority.
In the 2021 state election, BN won 21 seats, followed by Pakatan Harapan (PH) with five and PN with two.
Download Sinar Daily application.Click Here!
