Cabar Akmal di kubu kuat Umno, Ayu intai kejutan di Merlimau

Calon Pakatan Harapan Rahayu Hamzah faces off against BN's Dr Akmal Saleh in Merlimau's DUN election for the PRN Melaka. Competing for the BN stronghold is no simple task, but Rahayu, known as Ayu Hamzah, aims to create a surprise in DUN Merlimau on Saturday. The strong challenge ahead, especially with Akmal winning the seat by a 3,248-vote majority in PRN 2021 and having a strong swing vote, does not intimidate her.

Rahayu is determined not to lose before fighting and sets her target to reduce Akmal's winning majority without ruling out the possibility of winning the seat. According to her, the strength of the opposition does not necessarily reflect the actual support of voters on election day. "But it doesn't diminish our spirit. We keep working, keep trying.

Don't lose hope. At least (reducing the majority) is what we aim for. Allah willing, we entrust ourselves to Him," she said in a FMT interview. Beyond color-coded houses, Ayu's struggle in Merlimau is about bringing a non-partisan political approach to the people. Throughout her campaign, she refuses to visit houses based on the flag they display, whether it's BN, PN, PAS, or PH.

If given the mandate as a representative, she aims to look beyond political inclinations to ensure no one is left out of receiving assistance or aid. If elected, she pledges to serve all the people equally. She campaigns for every voter regardless of their political party. She does not want to be choosy. If people ask why she wants to help her, she replies that citizenship is comprehensive.

She does not want to make promises just for votes. Instead, she focuses on addressing the daily problems of the people. She believes that a representative's success should not be measured by campaign promises but by their ability to solve issues and help the community. As a representative, her KPI is to try to solve as many issues as possible received.

This is the role of a representative, she says. She also hopes to address social issues, women's welfare, single-parent families, youth, and education if chosen to represent Merlimau. She believes that the state government working with the central government led by PH can facilitate various assistance to the people, such as SRA, STR, BUDI, and early primary school aid.

She also highlights the RM100,000 gift to the Rural and Lands Development Committee (JPKK) as an example of central government aid that can benefit the local community.