{
  "id": 16835756,
  "title": "Zahari backs BN's Durian Tunggal candidate despite being dropped",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/zahari-backs-bns-durian-tunggal-candidate-despite-being-dropped",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-28T02:22:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/regional/2026/10/1565165/zahari-backs-bns-durian-tunggal-candidate-despite-being-dropped"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In Alor Gajah, former Durian Tunggal assemblyman Datuk Zahari Khalil has declined to contest in the Melaka election but remains focused on serving his community. Despite not being chosen to run, Zahari is actively campaigning alongside his friend and Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Datuk Dr Mustafa Musa, also known as Cikgu Mus. Zahari stated he was not disappointed by the party's decision to select a different candidate and remains committed to Umno and BN. He met with residents in Kampung Belimbing Dalam, Durian Tunggal, where Mustafa was receiving appointment letters in Kuala Lumpur. Zahari emphasized that his struggle in Umno and BN was not about rank or position, but rather to serve the people and community of Durian Tunggal. He expressed appreciation for the support he received from residents, even those he had not met before, and urged voters to continue backing BN and Mustafa to ensure continued development and services. Mustafa praised Zahari's support, describing him as a long-time friend and fellow party member. He said their cooperation would sustain development efforts in Durian Tunggal.",
  "summary": "ALOR GAJAH: Not being selected to contest in the Melaka election has not deterred former Durian Tunggal assemblyman Datuk Zahari Khalil from serving the community, as he continues to campaign alongside his friend and Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Datuk Dr Mustafa Musa.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}