Melaka State Election: MCA Targets Victory in at Least Three of Four Seats Contested

ALOR GAJAH: MCA is targeting victory in at least three of the four State Legislative Assembly (DUN) seats it is contesting in the 16th Melaka State Election.

Melaka MCA Vice-Chairman Datuk Ngwe Hee Sem said the targeted seats include Machap Jaya, Bandar Hilir and Kelebang, while efforts are also being intensified to capture the Kota Laksamana seat.

“We expect to win three seats in the Melaka State Assembly. We are still working hard in Kota Laksamana to secure victory for BN,” he said when met after the Jelajah Tok Rauf programme in the Machap Jaya constituency here on Monday.

Commenting on the target in Kota Laksamana, Hee Sem said the seat carried greater responsibility after Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh announced that the constituency would be elevated to the status of state capital if BN won the seat.

Hee Sem, who is also the candidate and incumbent assemblyman for Machap Jaya, expressed confidence in retaining the seat based on his track record of serving residents over the past five years.

He said he had not only engaged with residents during the election campaign but had been reaching out to the community and resolving local issues since winning the seat in the 15th Melaka State Election.

“Over the past five years, I have consistently visited the constituency to resolve problems faced by local residents.

“I have also regularly organised Jalinan Kasih programmes to engage with the people of Machap Jaya. By going to the ground, I can personally observe and listen to their problems,” he said.

According to him, he has visited almost all polling district centres (PDMs) and numerous localities in Machap Jaya throughout the campaign.

Responding to a debate challenge issued by Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate Datuk Ginie Lim Siew Lin, Hee Sem said he saw no need to participate, as voters could assess his performance and track record over the past five years for themselves.

“I have been working for five years, and the people already know what I have accomplished. Many problems in the Machap Jaya constituency have been resolved.

“I have also held a press conference on my achievements and manifesto. Therefore, during the campaign period, I do not see the need to accept their invitation. Everyone has their own responsibilities,” he said.

Hee Sem said his experience serving the constituency since 2021 had enabled him to gain a deeper understanding of local issues and identify residents’ priorities.

“I have a better understanding of what the residents here want and the problems they face, and I am able to resolve them,” he said.

MCA is contesting the Kota Laksamana seat again after Perikatan Nasional (PN) handed the constituency back to BN, with Melvin Chua Kew Wei representing the coalition.

The 16th Melaka State Election involves 28 state assembly seats and 79 candidates from seven political parties. Early voting is scheduled for November 10, while polling day is set for November 14.

Astro AWANI