Melaka voters chose stability over political rhetoric, says Zahid following landslide victory

MELAKA – Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has credited voters in Melaka for choosing the coalition's track record, stability and development agenda over what he described as political rhetoric throughout the election campaign.

Zahid said the unofficial 24-seat victory secured by BN and Perikatan Nasional (PN) reflected the people's preference for a government that could provide a clear direction for the state.

"This result proves that the people of Melaka continue to choose a record of achievements, stability and the development direction offered by BN and PN, rather than the political rhetoric played throughout the campaign," he said.

He was speaking at the BN Operations Centre at the Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC) following the conclusion of polling and the announcement of results in the 16th Melaka state election on Saturday.

His remarks come after a campaign marked by heated exchanges over race, religion and the political direction of the state, particularly involving BN, PN and Pakatan Harapan (PH).

DAP leaders had repeatedly criticised PN, particularly Pas, over the use of racial and religious sentiments during the campaign.

During a BN-PN campaign rally in Bukit Katil on Nov 12, Pas President Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang was quoted saying “even the most wicked Muslim who governs the country is not as tyrannical as a non-Muslim”.

Hadi had urged Muslims to fulfil their duty to vote, saying that if they did not turn up, “others” would govern and act according to their own considerations.

The next day, in a statement, Hadi's office said his original speech was intended to explain that Islamic politics was guided by considerations of sin and reward, with the aim of ensuring just governance and protecting the rights of non-Muslim communities.

The office stated that the Marang MP's speech was "take out of context".

On Nov 13, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke later defended Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's commitment to multiracialism, arguing that Malaysia's diversity should be celebrated rather than used to divide voters.