{
  "id": 18440999,
  "title": "Melaka polls: Campaigns should focus on issues, not hatred, says Umno leader",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/06/melaka-polls-campaigns-should-focus-on-issues-not-hatred-says-umno",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-06T04:43:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2026/11/1572041/melaka-polls-campaigns-should-focus-issues-not-hatred-says-umno-leader"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "MELAKA: Political campaigns should not be used to spread hatred or disparage opponents, said Kedah Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid. He supported Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh's strategy of avoiding hate politics and criticizing political rivals. Mahdzir emphasized that the focus should be on current issues, while recognizing that identity politics is common globally. He urged Melaka voters to assess Ab Rauf's performance over the past three years, including his achievements and state management skills, when deciding their votes. Mahdzir noted that the people of Melaka were best positioned to evaluate Ab Rauf's work for the state and had the right to judge the performance of local leaders. Speaking to reporters at a meeting with Barisan Nasional candidate for Pantai Kundor, Datuk Tuminah Kadi, Mahdzir mentioned that recent political developments over the past seven to eight months had also influenced voter decisions, with many likely having already made up their minds about five months ago.",
  "summary": "MELAKA: Election campaigns should not become a platform for spreading hatred or disparaging political opponents, Kedah Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said.",
  "key_points": [
    "Umno leader Mahdzir Khalid urges campaigns to avoid hatred and disparage opponents.",
    "Focus should be on current issues, not identity politics.",
    "Voters in Melaka to evaluate Ab Rauf Yusoh's performance over three years."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Prioritizing performance and governance over identity politics signals a strategic shift toward evaluating leadership through tangible achievements rather than the divisive rhetoric that often dominates regional election cycles.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "CSA will help ease political hostilities after Melaka polls, says Ismail",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/06/csa-will-help-ease-political-hostilities-after-melaka-polls-says",
        "published": "2026-11-06T05:02:42.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}