MELAKA: Pakatan Harapan (PH) Malacca chairman Adly Zahari remains focused on defending the coalition’s five existing seats and securing additional victories, declining to be drawn into Barisan Nasional’s (BN) projection that its cooperation with Perikatan Nasional (PN) could deliver 25 seats in Saturday’s state election.
He said BN was entitled to its own assessment, but PH would continue concentrating on constituencies it had identified as priorities in the final stretch of campaigning.
“That is up to BN and its own assessment. As I mentioned earlier, we will defend our five key seats while focusing on additional constituencies.
“At the same time, we will try to win as many seats as possible in this election,” he told reporters after the Jelajah Harapan Melaka Rumah Kita grand finale in Hang Tuah Jaya on Thursday night.
Earlier, Malacca BN chairman Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh expressed confidence that BN and PN could jointly capture up to 25 of the state’s 28 seats, citing the current political climate and internal problems within PH.
He said BN was targeting 21 seats, with victories by its allies potentially bringing the combined tally to 25.
PH, meanwhile, had previously identified 18 of the 24 constituencies it is contesting as potential victories, including the five seats it secured in the 2021 election.
Adly also acknowledged the challenges posed by identity politics, expressing hope that voters, particularly younger Malaysians, would prioritise the performance of political leaders when casting their ballots.
“We know the challenge of identity politics is significant, as seen in Johor and Negeri Sembilan.
“We believe Malacca voters, particularly the younger generation, will prioritise politics based on performance,” he said.
He added that PH’s campaign machinery would continue working until polling and vote counting were completed, stressing that the final outcome rested with voters.
Meanwhile, Amanah president Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu said PH had witnessed improving support since nomination day, although it remained uncertain whether the increase would be sufficient to overcome its opponents.
“Since nomination day, support has been increasing day by day.
“I am confident there will be an increase in votes, but whether it will be enough to overcome our opponents remains to be seen,” he said.
Mohamad said the coalition’s election machinery would intensify its final campaign efforts on Thursday and Friday in the hope of securing enough support for victory.
“The final efforts today and tomorrow will be carried out by the PH machinery.
“We hope to cross the winning line,” he said.
