Credit : Bernama
ALOR GAJAH, October 31, 2026 – Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate for Machap Jaya, Datuk Ginie Lim Siew Lin, has invited her two rivals in the 16th Melaka state election to take part in an open dialogue on the development of the constituency, Bernama reported.
Lim, who won the seat in the 2018 state election, said the dialogue was meant to allow an objective and constructive discussion about Machap Jaya’s future instead of a campaign built on personal attacks and running down opponents, according to Bernama.
“We hope to discuss efforts to develop Machap Jaya and make it a better area for the next five years. So we want to stop politics that is just shouting or running each other down,” she told reporters after the nomination process at the Machap Jaya Japerun Complex in Bukit Bulat.
Earlier, Lim was seen handing A4-sized invitation cards to the other two candidates for the seat, Barisan Nasional’s (BN) Datuk Ngwe Hee Sem and Parti Bersama Malaysia’s (Bersama) B. Prasanth Kumar. The Election Commission (SPR) candidate list confirms a three-cornered fight between the three.
Lim, a former state executive councillor for women, family development, welfare and Orang Asli affairs, described her contest with Ngwe, the incumbent, as a friendly one, as both have served in the state executive council.
Ngwe undecided, Prasanth welcomes invitation
Ngwe said he had not yet decided whether to accept the invitation, as he needed to check his campaign schedule before replying.
“For me, now is more about work, not the right time for dialogue. I already know the people’s problems because I have worked for five years. It is not only now that I am asking what needs to be done,” said the former state executive councillor for health, human resources and unity.
He said his five years as the assemblyman had allowed him to understand residents’ issues and needs through his work on the ground.
Prasanth Kumar welcomed the invitation, describing the dialogue as a good platform for candidates to share their ideas for the benefit of Machap Jaya residents. “Every candidate has different ideas, but I believe all of them want to help the community,” said the law graduate.
He said that although Bersama is a five-month-old party, he has experience in politics and administration, including contesting the Rim seat in the last state election and serving as special secretary for community affairs to former Chief Minister Adly Zahari.
PKR leaders turn out for Lim
PKR vice-president and Human Resources Minister Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, speaking at the same nomination centre, said PH believed the improving economy and current political stability could give the coalition an advantage, though he added that the result remained open and would depend on how voters received each coalition’s offers, Bernama reported.
PKR Wanita chief and Education Minister Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek said Lim had wide political experience and was no stranger to Melaka voters. She described the contest as “a balanced fight” in which each candidate was staking their record and service, and said Machap Jaya was among the seats PH had a strong chance of winning.
Ramanan and Fadhlina, together with PKR vice-president and PH secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and PKR central leadership council member Dr Maszlee Malik, accompanied Lim to the nomination centre.
Background
According to Bernama, Lim won Machap Jaya in 2018 with a majority of 1,336 votes, polling 5,550 votes in a three-cornered fight against Koh Nai Kwong (BN-MCA) and Wan Zahidi Wan Ismail (PAS). In 2021, Ngwe took the seat with a majority of 938 votes, polling 3,732 votes in a five-cornered contest and defeating PH’s Law Bing Haw; Lim did not contest that year.
The SPR has fixed November 10 for early voting and November 14 as polling day for the Melaka state election.
Credit : Bernama
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