Biggest winners and losers of the Melaka polls

The 16th Melaka state election saw a resounding victory for the Barisan Nasional-Perikatan Nasional alliance, with BN-PN securing a two-thirds majority in the state assembly. Ab Rauf Yusoh, the BN chairman, was nominated for a second term as chief minister, while Pakatan Harapan suffered significant losses.

PKR, the largest party within PH, failed to win a single contest, with key defeats in Paya Rumput and Kelebang where aides of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim were fielded. Azman Abidin, Anwar's political secretary, and Farzana Hayani Nasir, a PMO officer, were both defeated. The PKR president's calls for electing candidates with a "direct line" proved unsuccessful, raising questions about PKR's relevance within PH.

The Islamic party PAS made a significant gain, expanding its footprint in Melaka by winning two seats. In Paya Rumput, PAS defeated Anwar's political secretary, Rafie Ahmad, while in Bukit Katil, PAS ousted former chief minister Adly Zahari, a vice-president of Amanah, an offshoot of PAS.

Amanah, a coalition partner of PH, saw Adly Zahari's defeat in Bukit Katil, marking a significant blow to the party which had contested just seven seats and failed to win any. PAS's victories in both Paya Rumput and Bukit Katil served as a consolation for Amanah, which had predicted winning between four to seven seats.

Bersatu, another PH partner, suffered a crushing defeat, losing all seven of its candidates. This defeat followed similar outcomes in Sabah, Johor, and Negeri Sembilan state elections, raising questions about Bersatu's direction and whether it will still be part of Perikatan Nasional in the upcoming general election.