MELAKA: Pakatan Harapan (PH) has accepted the outcome of the Melaka state election and respects the people’s mandate despite winning only four of the 24 state assembly seats it contested, according to unofficial results.
Melaka PH chairman Adly Zahari said the coalition would use the results to assess its performance and strengthen efforts to regain public confidence.
“PH has always believed that election outcomes are shaped by various dynamics and that there is room for improvement in the future," he told a press conference at the coalition's main operations centre here on Saturday night.
Adly said the results would also be brought before the PH Presidential Council for a comprehensive review, taking into account previous state election outcomes, including those in Johor and Negeri Sembilan.
“I believe PH will have much to explain and reflect upon following today's results in Melaka,” he said.
According to unofficial results, PH had won the Kota Laksamana, Kesidang, Ayer Keroh and Bandar Hilir seats.
Asked whether PH would consider cooperating with other coalitions or political parties in future elections, Adly said no decision had been made so far.
“We have various options available, and we will decide in due course,” he said.
He said PH would also conduct a comprehensive review of its manifesto, campaign plans and pledges to identify factors that influenced voters' decisions.
On his failure to defend the Bukit Katil state seat, Adly said he respected the voters' decision, acknowledging that early projections had indicated he was trailing by about 5,000 to 6,000 votes.
He attributed the margin to electoral cooperation between Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN).
Adly said PH needed to improve its strategies ahead of the next general election, which he expected to be held within a year.
He said the coalition would identify measures to strengthen its performance based on its assessment of the Melaka election results.
Meanwhile, on behalf of PH's election machinery, Adly thanked Melaka voters for fulfilling their democratic responsibility, as well as Election Commission (EC) personnel, security forces, media practitioners, and polling and counting agents.
He also expressed appreciation to PH candidates, campaign workers and volunteers for their efforts throughout the campaign period, which began on Oct 31.
Adly urged newly elected representatives to fulfil their responsibilities by serving all constituents, regardless of political affiliation.
