{
  "id": 18291476,
  "title": "Melaka polls: Zahid advises BN machinery to campaign with restraint",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/melaka-polls-zahid-advises-bn-machinery-to-campaign-with-restraint",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-05T09:52:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/11/1571558/melaka-polls-zahid-advises-bn-machinery-campaign-restraint"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The chairman of the Barisan Nasional coalition, Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, has advised his party's grassroots members to exercise restraint and discretion during the upcoming Melaka state election campaign. Zahid noted that campaigning has become increasingly intense on both sides and that disputes have arisen, despite both parties previously agreeing to avoid raising trivial issues unrelated to the election. Both the BN chairman and Perikatan Nasional's leader expressed mutual respect for the understanding reached. While there is no official agreement, this understanding holds significant importance. Zahid urged all parties, particularly the grassroots campaigners, to be more cautious in their campaign approach as independent reports indicate that voters in Melaka's 28 constituencies have already determined their candidate preferences and the coalition they intend to support. As a result, Zahid believes that excessive campaigning would not sway these voters' decisions. The BN is contesting 23 of Melaka's 28 seats, whereas Perikatan Nasional is vying for the remaining five. The election commission has set November 14 as the polling day, with early voting scheduled for November 10.",
  "summary": "ISTANBUL: Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has urged the coalition’s machinery, particularly at grassroots level, to exercise restraint and discretion in the Melaka election campaign.",
  "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."
}