Avoid 3R provocations, campaign fairly, maturely and with dignity, Azalina tells Melaka poll candidates

MELAKA, Oct 31 — All candidates, party campaign machinery and supporters of parties contesting the 16th Melaka State Election have been urged to campaign in a fair, mature and dignified manner throughout the 14-day campaign period.

Umno Information Chief Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said also reminded them to comply with election laws and regulations set by the Election Commission (EC), respect differing views and avoid provocations involving sensitivities related to religion, race and the royal institution (3R).

“Elections should provide an opportunity for candidates to present and debate their ideas, policies and public service commitments, not create hostility or deepen divisions among the people,” she said in a statement yesterday.

Azalina stressed Barisan Nasional’s (BN) position that election campaigns should be centred on candidates’ credentials, service records, manifestos and policy proposals to help voters evaluate their capabilities, experience and vision for Melaka’s future.

She said BN would not engage in smear campaigns or black PR, as the coalition wanted to secure a mandate based on its own strengths rather than by undermining others, emphasising that the people of Melaka had the right to make their choices based on facts, not slander or hatred.

Azalina, also the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Law and Institutional Reform), reminded the public to be more vigilant about the challenges posed by the digital environment and make it a habit to verify sources, check facts and think before sharing information.

She urged the public to report content suspected of containing false news, defamatory material, impersonation or 3R-related violations through the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission’s official channels, while election offences should be reported to the EC, police or the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission.

“For content taken down by digital platforms, users can make use of the appeals channels provided by the respective platforms. They should also keep all relevant evidence, including screenshots, links and timestamps, to ensure that any complaints can be properly reviewed,” she said.

Meanwhile, she said Umno’s information machinery at all levels should place greater emphasis on strengthening its digital communications campaign, as social media has become one of the main channels through which voters obtain information and form their views in yesterday’s political landscape.

According to Azalina, the fact that 43.6 per cent of Melaka’s electorate comprises voters aged between 21 and 40 underscores the need for Umno to adopt a more dynamic, creative and youth-oriented communications approach.

“Make sure the digital space is filled with accurate information, engaging content and explanations that are factual and conveyed responsibly,” she said.

Azalina also called on voters to assess each candidate and the proposals put forward rationally and maturely, based on facts, and to fulfil their responsibility on polling day.

Early voting for the 16th Melaka state polls is scheduled for Nov 10, while polling day is set for Nov 14.

For the latest updates on the 16th Melaka State Election, visit https://election.bernama.com/prn/melaka/2026/ — Bernama

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马六甲，10月31日讯——所有参加第16届马六甲州选举的候选人、政党竞选机器和各政党支持者都被敦促在为期14天的竞选期间，以公平、成熟和有尊严的方式进行竞选活动。

巫统新闻主任拿督斯里阿扎丽娜·奥斯曼·赛义德也提醒他们要遵守选举委员会制定的选举法律和条例，尊重不同的观点，避免挑衅涉及宗教、种族和王室机构（3R）等敏感话题。

“选举应该为候选人提供机会，让他们展示和辩论自己的理念、政策和公共服务承诺，而不是制造敌意或加深人民之间的分裂，”她昨天在一份声明中说。

阿扎丽娜强调了国民阵线（国阵）的立场，即竞选活动应该以候选人的资历、服务记录、竞选纲领和政策提案为中心，以帮助选民评估他们的能力、经验和对马六甲未来的愿景。

她表示，国阵不会进行抹黑运动或恶意宣传，因为该联盟希望凭借自身实力获得授权，而不是通过削弱他人。她强调，马六甲人民有权根据事实做出选择，而不是根据诽谤或仇恨。

总理府（法律和体制改革）部长阿扎利娜提醒公众，要更加警惕数字环境带来的挑战，养成核实信息来源、检查事实、在分享信息前三思的习惯。

她敦促公众通过马来西亚通讯及多媒体委员会的官方渠道举报涉嫌包含虚假新闻、诽谤性材料、冒充他人或违反3R原则的内容，而选举违法行为应向选举委员会、警方或马来西亚反贪污委员会举报。

她表示：“对于被数字平台删除的内容，用户可以利用相应平台提供的申诉渠道。他们还应该保留所有相关证据，包括截图、链接和时间戳，以确保任何投诉都能得到妥善审查。”

与此同时，她表示，巫统各级信息机构应更加重视加强其数字传播活动，因为在当今的政治格局中，社交媒体已成为选民获取信息和形成观点的主要渠道之一。

阿扎丽娜表示，马六甲选民中有 43.6% 的选民年龄在 21 岁至 40 岁之间，这凸显了巫统需要采取更具活力、更具创意和更以年轻人为导向的沟通方式。

她表示：“要确保数字空间充满准确的信息、引人入胜的内容以及基于事实且负责任的解释。”

阿扎利娜还呼吁选民理性、成熟地根据事实评估每位候选人及其提出的方案，并在投票日履行他们的责任。

第16届马六甲州选举的提前投票定于11月10日举行，正式投票日定于11月14日举行。

有关第16届马六甲州选举的最新消息，请访问 https://election.bernama.com/prn/melaka/2026/ — 马新社

安华表示，马六甲需要值得信赖、勤奋敬业、正直的领导人。

安华祈祷苏丹沙拉夫丁早日康复，摆脱甲型流感。

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