PETALING JAYA: Barisan Nasional (BN) could defend the 21 seats it secured in the 2021 Melaka election and add three to four more in the state assembly, says analyst Ong Kian Ming.
The former DAP leader said his projection was based on the sentiments and momentum that BN was enjoying. He also foresaw the Umno-led coalition wresting one or two seats from Pakatan Harapan (PH).
He said the two PH constituencies that could fall were former chief minister Adly Zahari's Bukit Katil seat and the DAP stronghold of Ayer Keroh, Berita Harian reported.
"There is a possibility that BN could increase its haul of seats from 21 to 24 or 25, because I expect BN to work with PAS.
"I don't think BN would wrest all five of PH's seats, but one or two will fall to BN. Adly's seat and possibly Ayer Keroh. I think these two seats are in a very dangerous position for PH," he said.
Ong said BN would benefit from the absence of a consistent narrative from PH, particularly regarding the topic of pacts with other parties.
He said PKR and Amanah had voiced their intention of continuing to work with BN, but DAP appeared insistent on the coalition going solo.
These contradictory stands would only confuse voters, he said.
Melaka voters go to the polls on Nov 14. No alliances have been confirmed yet for the state election.
In the 2021 Melaka polls, BN won 21 seats while PH took five and Perikatan Nasional two. However, one Umno assemblyman – Jailani Khamis (Rembia) – defected to PAS before the state's anti-hopping law came into effect.