Credit : Bernama
MELAKA, October 31, 2026 – Pakatan Harapan (PH) will not compromise on rejecting hate politics, divisive tactics and narrow racial narratives throughout the campaign for the 16th Melaka state election, its secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said, Bernama reported.
Saifuddin said the coalition had chosen to campaign on the theme “Melaka Rumah Kita” (Melaka, Our Home), focusing on a contest of ideas, records of service and the welfare of the people, according to the national news agency.
Saifuddin, who is also Home Minister, said victory in an election was not measured by which side was loudest in stirring up hostility, but by which party voters trusted most to look after their interests.
“Our (PH’s) red line is to completely reject the politics of hatred, the politics of pitting people against each other, the politics that says that to defend our race, we must oppress other races. For our race to succeed, other races have no place… that we reject completely,” he said.
“We will put forward a peaceful campaign, because we realise that an election campaign is not won by whichever side is the loudest, but by who is the most trusted and believed,” he told a press conference at PH’s main operations room in Melaka.
Three main messages
Saifuddin said PH’s three main messages in this campaign were to celebrate the democratic process while respecting differences of opinion, to put forward policy offers and the ability to solve problems, and to launch a manifesto focused on job opportunities, the cost of living and the future of young people.
On the direction of the campaign, he said PH would not entertain any political speculation about new alignments after the election, and would instead focus fully on reaching voters, including those living outside their constituencies.
“The outstation voter segment is indeed on the election machinery’s checklist. We have exact figures for every state seat we are contesting on voters living outside the area, and they are a focus to be contacted to make sure they come home to vote,” he said.
Background
The message echoes earlier calls by PH leaders. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who chairs PH, urged the coalition’s candidates and machinery on October 26 to win Melaka voters’ trust through hard work and service, and to counter slander and racial incitement ahead of polling day.
A day earlier, on October 25, Saifuddin said PH would offer Melaka voters political stability, economic prosperity, people’s welfare and good governance, and urged the coalition’s machinery to work as one team.
Melaka PH chairman Adly Zahari said on October 30 that the coalition was aiming to win 18 of the 24 seats it is contesting, Bernama reported earlier.
Nomination closed on Saturday morning at all 28 nomination centres. The Election Commission (SPR) has said 79 candidates are contesting the 28 state seats, with 687,697 voters eligible to cast their ballots. Campaigning runs for 14 days, with early voting on November 10 and polling day on November 14.
LNA will carry the responses of other parties to PH’s campaign message where they are reported.
Credit : Bernama
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