BN-PN alliance scores landslide victory in Melaka polls, dealing another setback to PM Anwar

Detailed summary

In unofficial results, the Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) alliance won 24 seats, one more than the combined 23 seats the two coalitions secured separately in…

In unofficial results, the Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) alliance won 24 seats, one more than the combined 23 seats the two coalitions secured separately in 2021.

MELAKA: The Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) alliance swept to a resounding victory in Melaka's state election on Saturday (Nov 14), winning 24 of the 28 seats in a result that signals the growing strength of the Malay unity pact and deals another blow to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's Pakatan Harapan (PH).

The alliance secured a larger mandate than the combined 23 seats won by BN and PN in the 2021 state election, underscoring its ability to consolidate the crucial Malay-Muslim vote.

PH, which had hoped to make inroads through an informal understanding with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), won four seats, one fewer than it did five years ago, according to local media reports.

Both Bersatu and Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama), led by former Minister of Economy Rafizi Ramli, lost all the seats they contested. Bersatu had contested seven seats while Bersama had candidates in 16 seats.

"PH has always believed that election results are influenced by various dynamics, and there is always room for improvement in the future."

As of 9.20pm, the overall results had yet to be officially confirmed by Malaysia’s Election Commission.

In a press conference held shortly after 9pm, BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that BN-PN alliance had a “formidable majority” and had unofficially won in 24 out of 28 seats in the state assembly.

“I would like to thank all Melaka residents, especially the voters, for having belief and confidence in this alliance,” said Zahid, who is also deputy prime minister in Anwar’s unity government.

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