MELAKA: More flags bearing the logos of coalitions and parties contesting the state election have been put up in public areas over the weekend as campaigning intensifies in the final stretch.
But the atmosphere remains somewhat subdued, with few ceramah held, apart from Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s five-event campaign tour last Thursday and the Ceramah Santai Orang Melaka on Saturday, which drew more than 3,000 people dressed in the blue and green of Barisan Nasional and Pas, respectively.
The relatively lacklustre atmosphere could be because people are more focused on celebrating Deepavali, attending family gatherings or taking a break during the long weekend.
Despite 19 reports lodged in the first week of campaigning, the election has so far been free of untoward incidents or controversy. The reports mostly involve mischief and alleged bribery.
This could be attributed partly to the political maturity displayed by parties and their supporters.
Coalitions have made clear their opposition to hate speech and the spread of racial and religious hatred.
Against this backdrop, the coming week is crucial for the 79 candidates contesting the polls, as they have about five days until campaigning ends at 11.59pm on Friday to make their final pitches, reinforce their campaign messages and win the support of 687,697 voters.
The key question is whether the candidates’ strategies during the final days will be enough to sway voters before they head to the ballot box on Saturday.
Political leaders and observers have differing views on whether voters have already made up their minds.
BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi believes voters in the 28 constituencies up for grabs in the election have made up their mind about which candidates to vote for, adding that excessive campaigning and attempts to prolong controversies would not change their decisions.
On the other side of the political divide, some party leaders believe there is still time for candidates to win over voters, as some may only make their decisions in the final days of campaigning.
Melaka Pakatan Harapan chairman Adly Zahari said the coalition had entered the final phase of its campaign, shifting its focus from introducing candidates in the 24 constituencies it is contesting in, to persuading voters to support them.
“Our candidates are now recognisable. The next phase is to convince people to give us their support.”
Think tank Ilham Centre shares Zahid’s view, saying voters have largely made up their minds about who they will support on Nov 14.
But its executive director, Hisommudin Bakar, said surveys the centre conducted indicate that about 13 per cent of voters, most of whom were from Generation Z, had yet to decide who to vote for.
He said this group would likely decide based on online sentiments or on the basis of the fear of missing out.
He believed their decisions were unlikely to have significant impact on the overall outcome.
“It makes no difference in most seats. For now, the seats that are white will remain white and the seats that are black will remain black, despite the candidates’ popularity on social media.”
According to Election Commission data, 41,138 voters, or 5.98 per cent, are aged 18 to 20, while 135,687 voters, or 19.37 per cent, are aged 21 to 29.
Hisommudin said it would be misleading to predict the outcome of the 16th Melaka election based on the results of the 15th General Election (GE15).
In GE15 in 2022, PH won three out of the six parliamentary seats in Melaka, namely Alor Gajah, Hang Tuah Jaya and Kota Laksamana, while PN won Masjid Tanah, Tangga Batu and Jasin.
Tangga Batu and Jasin were represented by Pas.
Masjid Tanah member of parliament Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin had announced her decision to resign as a Bersatu division chief following the sacking of Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin as the party’s deputy president.
“The political dynamics have changed since GE15. Among the changes is the cooperation between BN and PN in this election, which has consolidated Malay support and may pose a threat to PH in constituencies that have seen an increase in Malay voters.”
With only a few days left before the campaign ends, Hisommudin said PH needed to step up its political marketing efforts by producing content that could appeal to voters’ emotions.
“I do not find PH’s marketing package in Melaka particularly appealing from voters’ perspective. Even if a restaurant serves excellent food, it will struggle to attract customers without proper marketing. They need to be creative in marketing their brand as they are facing a strong narrative and must remain consistent.”
In the final days of campaigning, coalition and party leaders are expected to make their way to Melaka to give their candidates a final push in the hope of turning the tide.