Anwar Questions ‘Save the Malays’ Rhetoric on Eve of Melaka Polls

MELAKA, November 13, 2026 – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has questioned the “save the Malays” message used by rival parties in the Melaka state election campaign, asking why those who governed for decades did not act on it while they were in power.

“There are those who have been in government for decades, yet today they are still shouting the rhetoric of saving the Malays,” Anwar wrote in a post on his official X account on Friday evening, a day before polling. “The question is, why didn’t you save the Malays when you ruled before? When you ruled, you mortgaged Malay institutions to enrich yourselves and your families.” He did not name a party in the written post.

“My message to the people of Melaka: elevate Malays, Chinese and Indians who are good, clean and trustworthy,” he added, using the hashtags #UndiHARAPAN and #MelakaRumahKita.

The post was accompanied by a video of about three and a half minutes, captioned “Ngopi Santai” at Warung Cikgu Jalal dan Cik Ida in Ayer Molek, Melaka. According to the subtitles in the video, Anwar referred to “UMNO-PAS” and the slogan “Melayu, hidup Melayu, selamatkan Melayu” (Malays, long live the Malays, save the Malays), and asked: “You looked after it for decades, why wasn’t it saved?”

In the same clip he said he had not come to condemn “our friends, including PAS”, describing them as people he respects. He told the crowd that Malaysia is a multiracial country with a Malay majority, that the prime minister remains a Malay, and that the heads of the armed forces, the police, FELDA and Tabung Haji are Malays. “This is Melaka, there are many Malays. Elevate Malays who are good,” he said, adding: “Elevate Malays who are clean, who are not corrupt, who do not plunder.” He also said he was proud of the Malay language, Islam and Malay culture and history, “but my pride is not to insult others”, and urged voters to choose Chinese leaders of good character, naming DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke.

The remarks follow a separate post by Anwar earlier on Friday in which he criticised UMNO, saying its ministers sit with Pakatan Harapan (PH) in Cabinet meetings but attack the government once outside, even though they are part of it.

UMNO and Barisan Nasional (BN) had not publicly responded to Friday’s video by the evening. During the campaign, BN leaders have framed their message differently. Melaka Chief Minister and state BN chairman Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh urged the coalition’s machinery on November 2 to campaign on facts, BN’s record in government and its offer to voters rather than on hatred, slander or “dirty politics”, according to UMNO Online. UMNO deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said on the same day that the coalition’s “blue wave” carried a message of Malay unity, arguing that UMNO’s defeats in the 14th and 15th general elections stemmed from clashes between Malay-based parties.

UMNO Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh, who is defending the Merlimau seat, said on November 6 that personal attacks and insults showed that opponents had run out of arguments, and asked voters to judge BN on its service record, UMNO Online reported.

PH and BN are partners in the federal unity government but are contesting against each other in 20 of Melaka’s 28 state seats. According to the Election Commission, 79 candidates are standing, with PH contesting 24 seats and BN 23, alongside Parti Bersama Malaysia, Bersatu, Perikatan Nasional (PN), Putra and three independents. BN and PN are not contesting against each other in any seat.

In the 2021 Melaka state election, BN won 21 seats, PH five and PN two. Polling takes place on Saturday (November 14).

Source : Anwar Ibrahim’s X

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