Credit : Bernama
MELAKA, October 31, 2026 – Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching has urged all candidates and party workers in the 16th Melaka state election to campaign in a healthy way, saying that political differences should not come at the cost of harmony in society, Bernama reported.
The national news agency reported on X that Teo, who is also DAP Wanita chief, made the call after accompanying Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate Leng Chau Yen to the nomination centre for the Bandar Hilir seat at SMK Padang Temu this morning.
Teo said that while differing views and political criticism were hard to avoid during an election season, they should not split the unity of the people, as everyone shared the same identity as Malaysians, Bernama said.
“I hope all candidates and their supporters can campaign in a healthy and constructive way. We know that during elections, criticism or sometimes a little quarrelling cannot be avoided,” she said.
“But most importantly, we need to understand that before becoming candidates, we are all Malaysian citizens. So make sure our campaign is healthy and constructive so that we can build a healthier and more harmonious country and state of Melaka,” she added.
Three candidates for Bandar Hilir
The N22 Bandar Hilir seat will see a three-cornered contest between Leng of PH, Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Jasmine Lok and Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama) candidate Dr Mohd Nor Rashidi Ab Jalil, Bernama reported. The Election Commission (SPR) candidate list also shows the seat as a three-cornered fight.
Leng arrived at the nomination centre at about 9 am, while Lok was accompanied by MCA vice-president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Jeck Seng, Sinar Harian reported. Bersama’s Dr Mohd Nor Rashidi was also present at the centre, the newspaper said.
Speaking after the nomination, Leng said she was grateful that the process had gone smoothly and that her team was ready to go to the ground to meet voters.
“The process here went smoothly without any problems and we are fully ready to campaign. My hope is that we can all campaign in a healthy, prosperous and peaceful way,” she said, as quoted by Bernama.
Background
Leng won Bandar Hilir in the 2021 Melaka state election with 9,091 votes and a majority of 7,778, Free Malaysia Today reported in its list of candidates and past results.
The SPR has set up 28 Election Campaign Enforcement Teams to monitor candidates’ activities throughout the campaign, and its chairman, Datuk Seri Ramlan Harun, reminded all parties today that campaign materials containing words that could incite hostility, promote racial hatred or touch on religious sensitivities are not allowed and are an offence under the Election Offences Act 1954, The Sun reported.
The SPR has said 79 candidates are contesting the 28 state seats in this election, with campaigning allowed until 11.59 pm on November 13. A total of 687,697 voters are eligible to cast their ballots.
The SPR has fixed November 10 for early voting and November 14 as polling day.
Credit : Bernama
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