Biggest winners and losers of the Melaka polls

The 16th Melaka state election concluded with the Barisan Nasional-Perikatan Nasional alliance, led by Ab Rauf Yusoh, securing a convincing victory, while the Pakatan Harapan coalition faced significant losses. The BN-PN alliance retained their two-thirds majority in the state assembly, with PKR and PAS also experiencing varying degrees of success.

PKR, the largest component of PH, struggled among their 10 candidates, failing to secure a single seat. Key losses included Paya Rumput and Kelebang, where prominent figures like Azman Abidin and Farzana Hayani Nasir were defeated by PAS candidates Rafie Ahmad and others. The party's reliance on a direct-line strategy failed to resonate with voters.

Amanah, the Islamic party, also faced disappointment as Adly Zahari, their former chairman and a prominent PKR candidate, lost his seat in Bukit Katil to PAS. This marked a significant setback for Amanah, which had predicted victory in several contested seats. The party's narrow defeat in these elections signals potential self-reflection ahead of the national general election.

Bersatu, another PH member, fared poorly with all seven of its candidates losing their respective races. This failure to secure any seats in Melaka further emphasizes the coalition's struggles in maintaining a united front. The party's electoral pact with PH, spearheaded by PKR vice-president Amirudin Shari, did not yield the anticipated results, and questions loom regarding Shari's continued role in directing PH's election strategy for the upcoming general election.

In summary, the Melaka polls highlighted the resilience of the Barisan Nasional-Perikatan Nasional alliance, their repeated dominance in the state assembly, and the challenges faced by Pakatan Harapan and its constituent parties in securing parliamentary seats.