Melaka polls: Adly admits Bukit Katil 'a challenge', defends performance amid criticism

MELAKA: Pakatan Harapan chairman Adly Zahari has conceded that securing the Bukit Katil seat in the upcoming polls would be a formidable challenge due to the collaborative efforts between Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional. Adly admitted that the BN-PN alliance placed him at a disadvantage, but he remained optimistic that his accomplishments and dedication to the constituency would prove beneficial.

He urged voters to evaluate his performance based on the initiatives and development projects undertaken during his time in office, rather than solely focusing on political alignments. Adly emphasized that elections are determined by the people and not just on paper, stating this in a podcast interview with BH Online.

In response to criticism regarding his limited presence in the constituency due to his roles as Alor Gajah Member of Parliament and Deputy Minister of Defence, Adly reassured that he remained actively engaged in monitoring the initiatives within Bukit Katil. He highlighted that the constituency had benefited from development projects facilitated through the Defence Ministry's Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) programme, which utilized the technical and engineering skills of armed forces personnel to carry out community development projects.

Adly clarified that these projects had been planned earlier in the year and were not specifically designed for the election campaign.

Among the ongoing and completed initiatives in Bukit Katil were improvements to schools, public facilities, and surau (mosques), as well as infrastructure development work. Adly defended his decision to allocate more funds to the constituency compared to other assemblymen, explaining that despite spending less time there, his actions had brought significant benefits to the area.

However, he acknowledged that not all resident requests had been addressed, citing a flooding problem in Balai Panjang affecting three to four houses. Adly stated that land acquisition and drainage improvements would be considered in his next term, should he be re-elected. He urged voters to weigh both the initiatives delivered and the outstanding issues when assessing his performance.

Adly affirmed that the People's Choice (PH) party would continue to prioritize providing the best possible service to voters, emphasizing that the election outcome would ultimately hinge on public support.