Melaka polls: PKR warns candidates against 'orang besar' attitude

MELAKA: PKR has cautioned its 10 candidates contesting the Melaka election against behaving like 'orang besar' (VIPs) or becoming overconfident, assuming they have an advantage just because they represent the party led by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Acting Melaka PKR chairman Adam Adli Abd Halim said the party wanted to approach the election with humility, even positioning itself as an underdog rather than relying on its status as a party in the federal government.

He said representing Anwar's party also came with expectations and pressure to secure electoral victories, but PKR viewed these as challenges rather than advantages.

"That pressure is always there, but we turn it into a challenge. If we look at the bigger picture, we believe the strategies and approaches we adopt in this election could help us prepare for the next general election.

"Others may say this is the prime minister's party, a party with many ministers and one that controls the country's administration, but we are not approaching the election that way.

"We should not assume that we are different just because Pakatan Harapan has the prime minister and is now in government.

"We are no different from others. We remain mindful and do not become arrogant," he said during Bicara PRN Melaka podcast here.

PH, a coalition led by PKR, is fielding 24 candidates in the election.

Apart from PKR, which is contesting 10 seats, its two other component parties, DAP and Amanah, are fielding seven candidates each.

Adam Adli, who is also PKR communications director, said the party did not want PH candidates to become overconfident, as this could lead to complacency.

He acknowledged that voter demographics might appear unfavourable to PH based on projections, but said voting patterns in Melaka could not be determined solely by theoretical evaluation.

"We are doing our best. At this point, we can see a light at the end of the tunnel, with some potential emerging in several constituencies we are contesting.

"However, we must ensure that we do not make mistakes and that we redouble our efforts. Even if PH fails to meet its target, the work we have put in during this election will not necessarily go to waste, as it can be continued in the next general election," he said.

He said that despite being part of the unity government, PH remained realistic in fielding candidates in only 24 seats, taking into account the strength of its election machinery.

"People look at PH as though we are already wealthy, when our strength remains much the same as before. There may be more people supporting us, but that does not mean we can do whatever we want.

"We cannot simply decide to contest all 28 seats without careful consideration. We have to properly assess our strength before making such decisions," he said.

Meanwhile, Adam Adli acknowledged that Bersama's participation in the Melaka election, with 16 candidates, had some impact on PH, but described it as a minor disruption rather than a major setback.

He said that while PKR would not underestimate the capabilities of Bersama, led by Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli, he remained confident that PH was strong enough to face the challenge.

"Of course there is an impact. We cannot say otherwise. We will not underestimate them, but suffice to say that PH remains a significant force. We may be affected, but not to the extent of being seriously weakened," he said.