BN poised to win big as PKR takes a beating in Melaka

Barisan Nasional (BN) is expected to form the next state government with a two-thirds majority in sight at the Melaka state election today after 12 days of campaigning.

The coalition has officially won seven seats so far including the hot seats of Tanjung Bidara and Asahan, defeating Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Perikatan Nasional (PN).

Unofficial results meanwhile indicate that it is leading in at least 20 seats.

PKR and Amanah are expected to perform worse this time around compared to their partner DAP.

Unofficial results show that PKR has lost in Machap Jaya, which it won in 2018 through Ginie Lim who was dropped as candidate this time.

PKR information chief Shamsul Iskandar Akin meanwhile lost in Paya Rumput.

PH’s candidate for chief minister, Adly Zahari, appears to be the only Malay candidate from the coaliton to have won in this election.

Political analysts had predicted such an outcome following the low voter turnout for the state polls, due in large part to concerns over Covid-19 as well as political lethargy.

The Melaka state election saw a clash among the three main blocs – BN, PH and PN – following the dissolution of the state legislative assembly in October after four assemblymen withdrew their support for Chief Minister Sulaiman Md Ali.

Sulaiman is expected to be sworn in as chief minister if BN succeeds in forming the next state government.