Produced by CNA
Campaigning has started in Malaysia’s Malacca state. It’s a crowded race, with 112 candidates vying for 28 seats. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, candidates have been told to promote their platforms online. Although more than 90% of adults have been vaccinated, daily cases are still in the hundreds in Malacca. A third of the 112 candidates contesting are first-timers, with the youngest at 21 years old from opposition Pakatan Harapan. Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob’s UMNO party is clashing with Bersatu, led by former premier Muhyiddin Yassin, in nearly half of the 28 state constituencies.
Summary
Raja Ahmad Iskandar Fareez, REFSA Communications Director spoke to Melissa Goh from Channel News Asia Singapore on the multi-cornered fights in Melaka’s state elections.
He reiterated that political rhetorics and issues of “mandate or legitimacy” might not energize voters in this time around. Whichever side that can sell a more convincing offering on how to rebuild Melaka from the devastation of pandemic might succeed in capturing people’s imagination and securing their votes on polling day.