Increase of Malay voters in Kota Melaka prime reason for PN fielding Suhaime

MELAKA, Nov 6 (Bernama) -- The increase in the number of Malay voters in the Kota Melaka parliamentary constituency is the main reason why Perikatan Nasional (PN) has fielded a Malay candidate, Suhaime Borhan, in the DAP stronghold in the 15th general election (GE15).

Gerakan vice-president Datuk Seri Michael Gan Peng Lam said the number of Malay voters came up to 43 per cent of the total of 164,140 registered voters in Kota Melaka currently. 

"In GE14, Malay voters in the Kota Melaka Parliament comprised 37.8 per cent of the total 126,848 registered voters and this caused us to change strategy in terms of the candidate.

"It is the first time that Gerakan has placed a Malay candidate in Kota Melaka, giving the option to Malay voters in this constituency to vote for a Malay candidate.

“Previously the candidates were Chinese because the percentage (of Chinese voters) was higher than other races," he told a press conference to introduce the PN candidate for the Kota Melaka parliamentary seat here today.

Gan, who is also Melaka Gerakan chairman, said fielding Suhaime, who is state party vice-chairman was a step towards reforming the party in approaching Malay voters as well as proving that PN is a multi-racial party formed through an alliance with other parties such as Bersatu and PAS. 

He said the selection of Suhaime, 42, in the DAP traditional seat also took into account several other factors, including his almost 20 years of experience in politics from the grassroots level, his good personality and being free from issues.

Meanwhile, Suhaime said he hoped to win more Malay votes, especially if the Malay voter turnout is high this time around. 

"My candidacy in Kota Melaka is an honour and looking at the relatively high percentage of Malay voters, I think there is no problem for me to serve in this constituency. I admit it is not easy but it is not impossible for PN to capture Kota Melaka," said the businessman.

He said if given the mandate in GE15, one of his missions would be to improve business infrastructure, especially in the Banda Hilir and Melaka Raya areas as well as improve development in the coastal areas.

Suhaime will be in a four-cornered fight involving Khoo Poay Tiong representing Pakatan Harapan, Kon Qi Yao (Barisan Nasional) and independent candidate Datuk Dr Norazlanshah Hazali. In GE14, Khoo won with a majority of 49,175 votes.

-- BERNAMA