Improving public sentiment can help PH in Melaka polls, says Amanah leader

Pakatan Harapan (PH) leader Amanah secretary-general Faiz Fadzil is optimistic that the coalition can regain power in Melaka's upcoming state election on November 14. Faiz believes that improving public sentiment could be the key factor, even if it contradicts the prediction of political analyst and former DAP MP Ong Kian Ming, who expects a significant loss for PH to Barisan Nasional.

Faiz asserts that PH has already gained ground in public support, specifically when juxtaposed with the outcomes of the 2023 state elections in Johor and Negeri Sembilan. He attributes this shift to the measures announced in the 2027 budget, which include public aid, and the coalition's successful administration of Melaka following the 2018 general election (GE14).

Faiz further points out that the political atmosphere in Melaka is markedly different from that in Johor and Negeri Sembilan, where Umno and PAS exploited racial sentiments to instill fear among voters, particularly the Malay community. He is confident that public confidence in PH has returned, thanks to recent political events.

Ong, in a recent statement, predicted that BN would retain its 21 seats from the 2021 Melaka election and potentially gain an additional three to four seats. Bukit Katil, held by Amanah vice-president Adly Zahari, and Ayer Keroh, a DAP stronghold, are also among the seats under contention. Faiz notes that the federal government's economic revival efforts and the measures announced in the 2027 budget will serve as benchmarks for voters evaluating the performance of PH.

Additionally, Faiz attributes the possible loss of trust in the Umno-PAS alliance to PAS delegates' criticisms during their recent muktamar regarding seat allocations. He argues that this erosion of confidence between Umno and PAS could work in PH's favor during the polls. Moreover, he suggests that corruption cases involving Tabung Haji and Felda might further bolster PH's chances of winning the Melaka state election.