As Melaka votes, no clear indication on ultimate winner

 

Excited Telok Mas voters pose for photos as they line up to cast their votes

AYER KEROH: After 12 days of intense campaigning under strict SOPs imposed by the health ministry, the battle for Melaka looks to be shaping up to a two-horse race that is still too close to call.

Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) decision to contest in all 28 state seats had been touted as a body blow to Barisan Nasional (BN) — and bane to Pakatan Harapan (PH) — but PN’s lack of presence in Melaka might limit its effect on the state election.

While PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin’s presence on the campaign trail had drawn the crowds, it seemed like the former prime minister’s persona was the only thing the Bersatu-led coalition was banking on to garner support.

PN banners put up in Melaka mostly had Muhyiddin’s face printed on it, with the coalition’s actual candidates only appearing in a handful of posters.

Another factor that could work against PN — although it claimed this was a strategic move — was the coalition’s decision to announce its chief minister-designate, deputy law minister Mas Ermieyati Samsudin, two days before polling day.

On the other hand, BN and PH confirmed their chief minister candidates by Nov 10, during the first week of campaigning.

The two coalitions named former chief ministers as their candidates, with BN choosing Sulaiman Md Ali and PH naming Adly Zahari.

Between PH and BN, the former will be highly dependent on a very good voter turnout in order to win at the polls, which could end in disappointment given the ongoing pandemic.

PH won Melaka in GE14 thanks to the momentum the 1MDB issue had brought, but the coalition does not have a major topic to champion this time, and has also lost Bersatu to PN. This would no doubt mean a bigger hill for PH to climb, especially in winning the votes of the Malay community.

Campaigning has been a relatively muted affair, with parties hesitant about sharing candidates’ plans for the day with the media for fear of getting fined by the authorities.

One major issue that has come under great scrutiny thanks to the polls is the Melaka Waterfront Economic Zone (MWEZ) megaproject, which will be built on a whopping 6,070ha of reclaimed land.

While coastline residents have been against MWEZ for more than half a year to little effect, the greater attention given to the project the past two weeks has prompted Sulaiman and Melaka Umno chief Ab Rauf Yusoh to leap to its defence.

Aside from the project, very few noteworthy issues were raised on the campaign trail.
Politicians from all quarters repeatedly pledged in some way to protect the people’s health and welfare, spur the economy, and boost tourism in Melaka.

More often, the usual attacks were launched by one party against the other, whether it was about “frogs” or the alleged lack of transparency and integrity. - FMT