Adly Zahari: Melaka election not a waste of time, public funds as ‘democratic power belongs to the people’

MELAKA, Nov 1 — Pakatan Harapan (PH) has dismissed claims that the 16th Melaka State Election is a waste of time and public funds, describing it instead as an important democratic process that allows the people to determine the mandate for the state government.

Melaka PH chairman Adly Zahari said the coalition was seeking the support of all Melakans, rather than relying solely on its own party members, to secure a mandate to govern the state.

Adly, who is also the PH candidate for the Bukit Katil state seat and an Amanah vice-president, said that while other political parties might be able to win by relying on their own supporters, PH believed its victory depended on the trust and support of the wider electorate.

“I do not deny that Barisan Nasional could win with the support of its own members. However, we in Pakatan Harapan are using this election to appeal to the people of Melaka for their support.

“We can only win with the support of the people of Melaka. Governing power is not a permanent right of any party, and voters do not owe their mandate to anyone. Ultimately, democratic power belongs to the people,” he said.

He was speaking at a daily press conference at the PH main operations room here today, which was also attended by Melaka DAP chairman Khoo Poay Tiong.

Meanwhile, Adly, who is also Deputy Defence Minister, said initial feedback gathered by PH’s 24 candidates during their campaign activities indicated that residents remained concerned about water bills, homeownership difficulties, access to welfare assistance and recurring floods.

He said small-scale traders were also facing challenges involving capital and rental costs.

Adly urged Barisan Nasional (BN), which won 21 of the 28 seats in the previous state election, to take responsibility for addressing these concerns and explain the measures taken, rather than behaving as though it had only recently assumed control of the state administration.

“...the people have every right to ask. If even basic matters remain unresolved and continue to be a source of public complaints, on what grounds should the current administration be praised? Signboards can be changed and slogans refreshed, but the quality of service must deliver the best possible outcomes for the people,” he said.

The Election Commission has set November 14 as polling day for the 16th Melaka State Election, while early voting is on November 10.

For the latest updates on the election, visit https://election.bernama.com/prn/melaka/2026/ . — Bernama

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马六甲，11月1日讯——希望联盟（PH）驳斥了第16届马六甲州选举浪费时间和公共资金的说法，称其为一项重要的民主进程，让人民能够决定州政府的授权。

马六甲希望联盟主席阿德利·扎哈里表示，该联盟正在寻求所有马六甲人的支持，而不是仅仅依靠其党内成员，以获得执政该州的授权。

阿德利同时也是希望联盟（PH）武吉卡迪尔州议席候选人和诚信党（Amanah）副主席。他表示，虽然其他政党可能依靠自己的支持者赢得选举，但希望联盟认为，其胜利取决于广大选民的信任和支持。

“我并不否认国民阵线有可能凭借其成员的支持赢得选举。然而，我们希望联盟正利用这次选举呼吁马六甲人民的支持。”

“我们只有得到马六甲人民的支持才能赢得胜利。执政权并非任何政党的永久权利，选民的授权也不应归于任何人。归根结底，民主权力属于人民，”他说道。

他今天在希望联盟（PH）主要行动室举行的每日新闻发布会上发表了讲话，马六甲民主行动党主席邱培忠也出席了发布会。

与此同时，兼任国防部副部长的阿德利表示，希望联盟24名候选人在竞选活动中收集到的初步反馈表明，居民仍然关注水费、购房困难、获得福利援助和反复发生的洪水问题。

他表示，小商贩还面临着资金和租金成本方面的挑战。

阿德利敦促在上届州选举中赢得 28 个席位中的 21 个席位的国民阵线（国阵）承担起解决这些问题的责任，并解释所采取的措施，而不是表现得好像它只是最近才控制了州政府一样。

“……人民完全有权提出质疑。如果连最基本的问题都得不到解决，持续引发公众不满，那么我们凭什么称赞现任政府？标语可以更换，口号可以更新，但服务质量必须为人民带来最佳结果，”他说道。

选举委员会已将11月14日定为第16届马六甲州选举的投票日，提前投票将于11月10日举行。

有关选举的最新动态，请访问 https://election.bernama.com/prn/melaka/2026/ 。 — 马新社

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