Improving public sentiment can help PH in Melaka polls, says Amanah leader

A Pakatan Harapan leader believes that improving public sentiment, including following the 2027 budget announcement, can help the coalition win the Melaka state election on Nov 14.

Amanah secretary-general Faiz Fadzil said the shift in sentiment could defy political analyst and former DAP MP Ong Kian Ming’s prediction that PH risks suffering a major defeat to Barisan Nasional.

Faiz said PH had a strong chance of returning to power in Melaka, claiming that public support for the coalition had improved compared with the Johor and Negeri Sembilan state elections.

He said several measures announced by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in the 2027 budget proposals, including public aid, could influence voter sentiment.

PH could also highlight its record of governing Melaka after GE14 as proof of its ability to administer the state, he said.

“The public mood in Melaka is different from that in Johor and Negeri Sembilan. During the two state elections, Umno and PAS played on racial sentiment to stoke fear among voters, particularly the Malay community.

“Based on recent political developments, I am confident that public sentiment has changed and that the rakyat have regained confidence in PH,” he told FMT.

Ong recently said BN was expected to retain the 21 seats it won in the 2021 Melaka election and gain another three to four seats. There are 28 seats in the state assembly.

He also predicted that BN could wrest Bukit Katil, held by Amanah vice-president Adly Zahari, as well as Ayer Keroh, considered a DAP stronghold.

Faiz said the federal government’s efforts to revive the economy, along with the measures announced in the 2027 budget, would be among the benchmarks voters used to assess PH.

“This is in addition to PH’s good track record of governing Melaka after GE14,” he said.

He also claimed that ties between Umno and PAS had become strained following criticism by PAS delegates at the party’s recent muktamar over seat allocations.

The development could undermine voters’ confidence in cooperation between the two parties, he said.

“The people of Melaka are starting to see through the Umno-PAS alliance, which is more about competing for power than defending the Malays,” he said.

Faiz also said corruption cases involving Tabung Haji and Felda could give PH an advantage at the polls.

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