Khaidirah: BN-PN alliance reflects long-awaited Malay unity

JASIN – Barisan Nasional (BN) incumbent Rim assemblywoman Datuk Khaidirah Abu Zahar believes cooperation between BN and Perikatan Nasional (PN) represents a long-awaited political alignment among Malay voters that could strengthen the coalition's electoral prospects and eventually pave the way for it to capture Putrajaya.

The Umno candidate, better known as Dira, said bringing together the majority through a stronger political alliance would improve the coalition's chances of securing a significant victory, including in the upcoming Melaka state election.

She said the BN-PN partnership had gone through several phases and challenges, but both sides remained committed to improving their cooperation despite shortcomings along the way.

"I believe that when the majority comes together, we have a greater chance of securing a significant victory. The BN-PN cooperation is the movement we have been waiting for, although the journey has had its ups and downs and gone through several phases.

"We recognise that there are flaws and that not everything has gone according to plan, but we will continue working to improve the coalition in the future," she told Sinar Daily.

Asked whether a BN-PN victory in Melaka could pave the way for the coalition to capture Putrajaya, Dira said she believed the partnership reflected what many Malays, particularly Malay voters, had been hoping to see.

However, she stressed that the alliance was not intended to sideline other communities, but rather to restore the country's standing and prioritise national interests over political considerations.

"Insya-Allah, I believe this BN-PN coalition is what many Malays, particularly Malay voters, have been hoping for. We are not trying to sideline anyone but want to restore Malaysia to its former glory.

"I think we have had enough of political uncertainty and policymaking processes being disrupted by political interests taking priority over the country's interests.

"Ultimately, we want to see better national development in the future through a stronger coalition, particularly with the Malays coming together," she said.

She said this when met by Sinar Daily at BN's PDM Simpang Kerayong operations room in Jasin this evening.

The Election Commission (EC) has set Nov 14 as polling day for the 16th 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 took place on Nov 10. The 14-day campaigning period will end at 11.59pm on Nov 13.

A total of 79 candidates are contesting the 28 state seats, with a coalition requiring at least 15 seats to secure a simple majority and form the state government.