MELAKA: Paya Rumput, Bukit Katil, Sungai Udang and Bemban are shaping up as key battlegrounds, with narrow past victories and shifting political alliances raising the stakes ahead of tomorrow’s polls.
Paya Rumput, which Barisan Nasional won by just 629 votes in 2021, is witnessing a three-cornered contest involving Pakatan Harapan’s Datuk Azman Abidin, Perikatan Nasional’s Rafie Ahmad and Parti Bersama Malaysia’s Abdul Rashid Abu Bakar.
Azman, the political secretary to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, is making his electoral debut in a seat where the transfer of Barisan votes to PAS could prove decisive.
Rafie, who has been active in Paya Rumput for nearly three decades, said Barisan and Perikatan campaigners were working together to convince voters to support their joint candidate.
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“When we go down to the ground, we move together and meet voters together, telling them, ‘This is our joint candidate’,” he said.
Azman, meanwhile, has pledged to map out traffic congestion, flooding and infrastructure problems within his first 100 days if elected.
Residents interviewed earlier raised concerns over traffic congestion, flooding, road safety and the cost of living, placing bread-and-butter issues at the centre of the contest.
Bukit Katil presents another major test, with incumbent Datuk Seri Adly Zahari seeking a third term after retaining the seat with a 1,057-vote majority in 2021.
The state Pakatan chairman faces Perikatan’s Muhammad Ridzuan Mohd Sarif, Bersama’s Dr Aliza Che Amran and independent candidate Abu Bakar Sabudin in a four-cornered contest.
Adly has acknowledged that cooperation between Barisan and Perikatan presents a tougher challenge, although he has stressed that none of his opponents should be underestimated.
“Whatever their decision, we will respect it, but we are appealing for another opportunity to serve a third term,” he said.
Muhammad Ridzuan, meanwhile, acknowledged the challenge of winning over voters who may remain loyal to established political figures.
“I may not get their full support, but I will keep reaching out to them,” he said.
The fight in Sungai Udang will also be keenly watched. It was a traditional Umno stronghold but Perikatan took the seat in the last state polls with a 530-vote majority.
Barisan’s candidate for Sungai Udang, Datuk Rais Yasin, is not an election newbie but is contesting in a new area, and he is working hard to win over the hearts and minds of voters.
He has outlined plans to improve the welfare of the constituency’s military community if elected.
“I am offering 30% of the allocation given to the assemblyman, if entrusted with the mandate in Sungai Udang, specifically for military personnel, their spouses and veterans,” he said.
Bemban is also attracting attention after Perikatan won the seat by just 328 votes in 2021, wresting it from Pakatan.
Incumbent Dr Mohd Yadzil Yaakub faces a four-cornered contest against Bersatu’s Muhammad Rabaie Ab Hamid, Bersama’s Dr Muhammad Solehin Saleh and independent candidate Abd Halim Said.
The narrow margin leaves little room for complacency, particularly with rival candidates competing for support in a constituency where even a modest shift in votes could prove decisive.
Abd Halim, a former PAS member, has highlighted recurring floods, drainage problems and local development concerns as issues affecting residents.
He acknowledged the uphill battle facing independent candidates.
“An independent candidate has only about a 1% chance of winning, while there is a 90% likelihood of losing,” he said.
With just 328 votes separating the winner from his nearest rival in 2021, even a small shift in voter support could change the outcome in Bemban this time.
