BN-Perikatan cooperation may not translate into full voter support, says Melaka Pakatan chairman

Melaka Pakatan chairman Adly Zahari stated that the cooperation between Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) in the 16th Melaka state election may not translate into full voter support, despite the potential advantages of such an alliance. He explained that not all supporters of the two coalitions would necessarily embrace the cooperation, and new voters could also impact the election results.

Adly noted that in some elections, only a portion of BN votes might transfer to PN, with the remaining percentage remaining with BN. In Melaka, this rate could be as low as 50 per cent, depending on how supporters of both parties respond to the cooperation. He also mentioned that the nearly 4,000 new voters in Bukit Katil, his constituency, could influence voting patterns, as many had no strong allegiance to any political party.

The mixed nature of Bukit Katil, with 65 per cent Malay voters, 29 per cent Chinese, and 5 per cent Indian, meant that playing on racial and religious sentiments might not guarantee support for any party. Adly emphasized that the PH had received nearly 27 per cent of Malay votes in the previous state election and aimed to increase that percentage in the upcoming election.

He is contesting for the Bukit Katil seat against PN candidate Muhammad Ridzuan Mohd Sarif, Dr Aliza Che Amran from Parti Bersama Malaysia, and independent candidate Abu Bakar Sabudin.