12,531 to cast early ballots as Melaka election enters crucial stretch

The Melaka state election is a pivotal moment for the Muslim Brotherhood-aligned coalition, Bersatu, as it gauges its political relevance following recent setbacks. The party's internal rift between Muhyiddin Yassin's and Hamzah Zainudin's factions has further complicated its journey. With electoral failures in Johor and Negri Sembilan, Bersatu's position in Perikatan Nasional remains precarious.

The stakes are high for the party in this election, especially concerning its ability to draw Malay voters and maintain grassroots support.

The Gemas constituency serves as a case study for Bersatu's challenges. Though it failed to secure the seat, the loss was less severe than in Johor and Negri Sembilan. The Gemas result highlights the struggle underpinning Bersatu's broader campaign. Meanwhile, Pakatan Harapan candidate Siti Aishah clinched the Gemas seat with 3,529 votes, further emphasizing the intense competition.

The political landscape in Melaka is marked by strained relations between Bersatu and Pas over Bersatu's PN affiliation. Despite this, both parties have not directly faced off in the Melaka election. PH has reportedly opened seats in Lendu, Sungai Udang, Pantai Kundor, and Bemban to Bersatu, although this remains unofficial. However, they will still directly contend in Kelebang, Ayer Keroh, and Pengkalan Batu.

Leaders from both parties have expressed mixed sentiments on possible cooperation. PH chairman Adly Zahari suggested that PH would not stop supporters from backing Bersatu candidates. Muhyiddin, however, firmly stated Bersatu would not instruct its members to support other parties. Azmin Ali, Bersatu's secretary-general, hinted at a potential more open alliance with PH during the election campaign.

He acknowledged the need for Bersatu to collaborate to ensure stability, but clarified that Bersatu could not operate in isolation.

Political analyst Dr Mazlan Ali posited that while PH and Bersatu have avoided official declarations of cooperation, they may still benefit from each other's support. Despite this potential collaboration, he predicted a challenging campaign for Bersatu, particularly against Wawasan candidates. Bersatu's performance in the Melaka election will likely hinge on its ability to attract more voters compared to its past failures in Negri Sembilan.

While a strong showing could help reassert Bersatu's relevance, a poor performance would complicate its future electoral prospects.