BN-PN alliance scores landslide victory in Melaka polls, dealing another setback to PM Anwar
In unofficial results, the Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) alliance won 24 seats, one more than the combined 23 seats the two coalitions secured separately in 2021.
Melaka Barisan Nasional chairman Ab Rauf Yusoh (left), Vice president of PAS (centre) Idris Ahmad and BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi celebrate as BN secures victory in the Melaka state election on Nov 20, 2026. (Photo: CNA/Zamzahuri Abas)
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MELAKA: The Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) alliance swept to a resounding victory in Melaka’s state election on Saturday (Nov 14), winning 24 of the 28 seats in a result that signals the growing strength of the Malay unity pact and deals another blow to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s Pakatan Harapan (PH).
The alliance secured a larger mandate than the combined 23 seats won by BN and PN in the 2021 state election, underscoring its ability to consolidate the crucial Malay-Muslim vote.
PH, which had hoped to make inroads through an informal understanding with Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu), won four seats, one fewer than it did five years ago, according to local media reports.
Both Bersatu and Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama), led by former Minister of Economy Rafizi Ramli, lost all the seats they contested. Bersatu had contested seven seats while Bersama had candidates in 16 seats.
Melaka PH chairman Adly Zahari said his coalition accepted the outcome with an open mind and respected the decision of the voters.
“We accept this result as part of the democratic process and as an opportunity to strengthen our efforts moving forward,” he said, according to local media platform The New Straits Times.
“PH has always believed that election results are influenced by various dynamics, and there is always room for improvement in the future.”
As of 9.20pm, the overall results had yet to be officially confirmed by Malaysia’s Election Commission.
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“BLUE WAVE MOMENTUM”
In a press conference held shortly after 9pm, BN chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said that BN-PN alliance had a “formidable majority” and had unofficially won in 24 out of 28 seats in the state assembly.
“I would like to thank all Melaka residents, especially the voters, for having belief and confidence in this alliance,” said Zahid, who is also deputy prime minister in Anwar’s unity government.
“The result continues this blue wave momentum which began in Johor, followed by Negeri Sembilan and now further consolidated in Melaka,” he added.
“This is a hat-trick of wins but it’s not a reason to be arrogant. We accept it with humility and we pledge to fulfil the manifesto we launched for the state,” said Zahid.
At around 8pm, Asyraf Wajdi, secretary-general for BN’s lynchpin party United Malay National Organisation (UMNO), confirmed that the BN-PN alliance had an unassailable lead of 15 seats, enough to give the pact a simple majority to form the next state government.
“This means that we have a majority to form the next government of Melaka, congratulations all,” said Asyraf to loud cheers from a crowd of roughly two thousand BN and PN supporters at the Melaka International Trade Centre.
The outcome marks another emphatic victory for BN and PN after their successful partnership in the Negeri Sembilan state election in August, strengthening the case for both coalitions to continue their cooperation ahead of Malaysia’s next general election.
The BN-PN pact had entered the Melaka contest as the overwhelming favourite, with pollster ILHAM Centre identifying 24 seats where the alliance held a commanding lead just a day before polling.
The result will raise fresh questions about Anwar’s ability to arrest declining support for PH, particularly among Malay voters, as his administration approaches its fourth anniversary in power.
It could also embolden leaders within BN and PN to press for an early general election to capitalise on their electoral momentum. Malaysia’s next general election must be held by February 2028.
The Melaka election also unfolded against a backdrop of renewed tensions between PH and BN, which remain partners in the federal unity government despite contesting on opposing sides in the state.
Those tensions were sharpened by the recent move to place former prime minister Najib Razak under house arrest, an issue that exposed differences between supporters of the two coalitions.
BN and PN had sought to avoid splitting the Malay vote by dividing Melaka’s 28 seats between them, with BN contesting 23 and PN fielding candidates in five.
PH, meanwhile, contested 24 seats and avoided direct clashes with Bersatu in four constituencies, in what analysts described as a tentative attempt to rebuild bridges with the Malay-based party that left PH in 2020.
Incumbent chief minister Ab Rauf Yusoh is set to be reappointed to the post after leading BN’s successful election campaign.
Meanwhile, PH’s chief minister candidate Adly Zahari lost his seat of Bukit Katil after serving two terms, dealing a major blow to the coalition. He was defeated by PN candidate Muhammad Ridzuan Mohd Sarif.
Source: CNA/nh
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