{
  "id": 17343880,
  "title": "Melaka polls: Akmal banks on five-year service record to seek fresh mandate",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/31/melaka-polls-akmal-banks-on-five-year-service-record-to-seek-fresh",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-31T04:55:28.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/10/1567542/melaka-polls-akmal-banks-five-year-service-record-seek-fresh-mandate"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, the Barisan Nasional candidate for the Merlimau seat in the Melaka state election, is relying on his five-year service record to win the trust of voters once again. Akmal believes that residents in Merlimau can evaluate his performance and contributions during his tenure before deciding on polling day. Despite criticism, he urges voters to assess his work and choose accordingly. Rahayu Hamzah, the Pakatan Harapan candidate and state Amanah Wanita chief, will contest the seat against Akmal. As the incumbent Merlimau assemblyman, Akmal remains optimistic despite facing numerous challenges throughout his political career. He sees these challenges as opportunities for self-improvement, citing examples of national leaders who have persevered through controversies and criticism. Akmal is confident that his experience over the past five years will serve him well in this election, with the people's support and trust being the determining factor in whether he secures another mandate.",
  "summary": "JASIN: Barisan Nasional candidate for the Merlimau seat Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh is banking on his five-year service record to regain voters’ confidence in the Melaka state election.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Gulf News",
        "title": "UAE flight status today: Full list of cancellations, delays and airport updates on October 31",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/31/uae-flight-status-today-full-list-of-cancellations-delays-and-airport",
        "published": "2026-10-31T07:07:50.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}