Loke: Defeating BN-PN in Melaka polls no easy feat

MELAKA: Overcoming Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional will be no easy feat, particularly as political rivals seek to consolidate their strength amid multi-cornered contests.

DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke said he hoped voters in Melaka would consolidate their ballots behind PH to avoid split votes that could inadvertently hand victory to their rivals.

He said the emergence of new, splinter parties contesting in three-to-four-cornered fights serves only to fragment the opposition vote, effectively paving the way for a BN and PN victory.

"Defeating BN and Perikatan Nasional is not easy. While new parties have every right to contest, voting for them will only dilute our strength.

"They cannot win, but they can hand victory straight to Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional," he said.

Loke was addressing supporters during the Malam Harapan 2026 event, here, that drew a turnout of more than 1,000 people.

Political arrogance, he said, must not take root ahead of the polls, especially when there are claims that PH strongholds such as Bukit Katil and Ayer Keroh could be taken from them.

To safeguard democratic governance in the state assembly, he said DAP has set its sights on defending its four seats (Kota Laksamana, Bandar Hilir, Kesidang, and Ayer Keroh) while mounting an aggressive challenge in Pengkalan Batu, Duyong and Gadek.

Loke said voters should not let one bloc have unbridled dominance without an effective check-and-balance mechanism as it risk returning the state to an era of unchecked power and complacency.