MELAKA: The scale of Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional's victory in the Melaka polls exceeded even Datuk Seri Dr Ab Rauf Yusoh's expectations after a bruising campaign marked by attacks on both coalitions and his administration's record.
Sworn in as Melaka's 13th Chief Minister on Sunday (Nov 15), Ab Rauf said the results showed that efforts to address voters' needs carried greater weight than a campaign of fear and disparagement.
He said social media had been flooded with posts undermining the two coalitions, including attempts to stoke anxiety over Perikatan, particularly PAS, gaining ground in the state.
"I told all candidates contesting under Barisan and Perikatan not to retaliate in the same manner but to present the facts and remain composed," he told The Star on Sunday (Nov 15).
Ab Rauf credited the Melaka Sayang Rakyat (Mesra) and Wakil Rakyat Untuk Rakyat (WRUR) initiatives with helping Barisan secure substantially larger winning margins than in the 2021 state election.
"The final result shows that care and concern for the people trumps gutter politics," he said.
Barisan retained its two-thirds majority by winning 21 of the state assembly's 28 seats, while its share of the popular vote rose by 10.85 percentage points to 49.24%, up from 38.39% in 2021.
Five Barisan candidates recorded five-figure majorities, led by Datuk Rais Yasin's 16,214-vote victory in Sungai Udang.
Ab Rauf also strengthened his hold on Tanjung Bidara, increasing his majority from just 364 votes in 2021 to 8,615.
Despite the commanding win, he said the mandate should not be treated as a personal or partisan triumph.
"It is a victory for the people's confidence and hope in seeing Melaka continue to progress, remain stable and prosper.
"The people have made their choice and placed their trust in us. Our responsibility now is to repay that trust through work, not merely words," he said.
Ab Rauf said pledges in the joint Barisan-Perikatan manifesto would be translated into a structured programme with measurable results.
"I do not want the people to wait too long to see results and the government must get to work immediately," he said.
He added that the state government would prioritise strengthening the state economy, attracting quality investment, improving public welfare, accelerating strategic development projects and responding more effectively to public complaints.
Now that polls have concluded, Ab Rauf urged state residents to put political differences aside and reunite as one family, pledging to serve every community and constituency.
"I am not the Chief Minister only for those who voted for me. I am the Chief Minister for all, regardless of race, religion, background or political affiliation.
"No one should be marginalised, no constituency forgotten and no voice disregarded as we develop this state," he said.
He also called for integrity, efficiency and responsiveness throughout the state administration, reminding elected representatives that their positions were a public trust.
"To my fellow elected representatives who have received this mandate, never forget that holding office is a responsibility, not a privilege.
"We will not stop trying, we will not stop working and we will never stop fighting for the people," he added.
