MELAKA: DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook has stressed that Datuk Seri Adly Zahari must retain his Bukit Katil seat for Pakatan Harapan (PH) to appoint him as Melaka chief minister, even if the coalition secures enough seats to form the next state government.
He said defending PH’s existing constituencies was crucial to its ambition of regaining control of the state, particularly Bukit Katil, where Adly is seeking a third consecutive term.
“Even if we secure a majority, if we fail to win Bukit Katil, he cannot become chief minister.
“We must ensure that Bukit Katil continues to support Adly,” he said during the Jelajah Harapan Melaka Rumah Kita grand finale in Hang Tuah Jaya on Thursday night.
Loke expressed confidence in Adly’s leadership, citing his experience and record as chief minister under the previous PH administration.
“Adly has proven that he is capable of administering Melaka. He was an excellent chief minister and a popular chief minister.
“We have the experience, the strength and the ability to govern Melaka fairly and equitably,” he said.
Adly, who is also an Amanah vice-president and Deputy Defence Minister, has been named PH’s preferred chief minister candidate should the coalition secure a mandate to form the state government.
The decision was announced by PH election director Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari on Nov 1, following a consensus among the coalition’s leadership.
Adly previously served as Melaka’s 11th chief minister from May 11, 2018, until March 2020, after PH captured 15 of the state’s 28 assembly seats in the 14th General Election.
His administration lasted approximately 22 months before collapsing amid the political realignment following the Sheraton Move, which saw several assemblymen withdraw their support for the state government.
Recalling PH’s victory in 2018, Loke dismissed claims that DAP would dominate the administration if the coalition returned to power.
He pointed out that DAP had secured eight seats in the state assembly that year, yet supported Adly, an Amanah representative, as chief minister.
“In 2018, DAP won eight seats in Melaka. But who did we support to become chief minister? Adly.
“That is a fact. Don’t fall for the slander that if PH wins, the Chinese or DAP will control everything,” he said.
Adly first captured Bukit Katil in 2018 with a majority of 3,159 votes before retaining the seat in the 2021 state election with a narrower majority of 1,057 votes.
Adly faces a four-cornered contest against PN’s PAS candidate Muhammad Ridzuan Mohd Sarif, who has BN’s backing under the Muafakat Melaka cooperation, Bersama’s Dr Aliza Che Amran and independent candidate Abu Bakar Sabudin.
Loke urged voters to defend PH-held seats, stressing that securing Adly’s victory in Bukit Katil was essential before any discussion about forming the next state government.
“We must win first. The important thing is to make sure we win Bukit Katil,” he said.
