MELAKA: Melaka voters say Barisan Nasional's landslide victory in the state election reflects the people's wish for political stability.
They expressed confidence that the state is in better hands following BN's big win on Saturday.
The coalition won 21 out of 28 seats in the polls, and the victory meant that the people were returning their support to BN, which has always helped with the people's needs.
Hashim Hasan, 63, who did not expect the big win for the coalition, described the outcome as a responsibility bestowed on BN to serve the people well.
He said the mandate was given as a show of gratitude to the coalition for protecting the wellbeing of the state.
Hashim, who is a taxi driver, said he, like many Melaka folk, had always believed that a government should not leave any member of society behind, which is among the foundations of the Keluarga Malaysia aspiration.
"The win for the coalition means that the people want BN to continue leading the state as it had done for decades.
"In Melaka, the issue of differences is not as critical as in other states. I believe we are all Keluarga Malaysia like what Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob says. People are tired of politicking.
"We want a government that prioritises the needs of the people, especially in these trying times when so many young and old people are affected by socio-economic and even mental woes.
"I hope BN will take this mandate seriously for the next five years."
Echoing Hashim's sentiment is Kamarudin Mamat, 54, who expressed hope that all assemblymen elected in the polls will remain steadfast in ensuring that the welfare of the people is prioritised as the prime minister had announced in the 2022 Budget and 12th Malaysia Plan.
He cited Bantuan Keluarga Malaysia, which will see households earning less than RM2,500 a month and with three or more children receiving a one-off RM2,000 payment, as announced in the 2022 Budget as among the initiatives that hugely benefited the people.
Kamarudin said providing opportunities for small- and medium-sized entreprises was critical in boosting the economy, especially during the two years since the Covid-19 pandemic brought about various movement controls.
"I believe one of the main reasons BN managed to take back Melaka is that the people want political stability and that would mean a better economic future for the state.
"As the people, we do not want any more politicking to happen. That is why we have returned the mandate to BN.
"And now with all the promises the pact has announced, we are hoping it will be fulfilled in Melaka."
First-time voter Amira Syahir, 21, said she kept abreast of all the initiatives introduced by the government, and this had influenced her choice when she went to the polls on Saturday.
She said prior to voting , she had done research and admitted that she was familiar with initiatives such as Bantuan Prihatin Rakyat and Bantuan Keluarga Malaysia because her family benefited from them.
"From there, it is easier for one to choose which coalition can lead the state better based on what they have done for the people.
"To be honest, I do not follow the political scene, so for this election, I just did a quick search online.
"Based on my observation, there have been more opportunities for the people following the 2022 Budget announcement."
Amira also sang praises of the government which aimed to create 600,000 jobs next year under the Jamin Kerja Keluarga Malaysia job guarantee initiative, with an allocation of RM4.8 billion under the 2022 Budget.
The people of Melaka believe that with more than six decades of history, BN would guarantee there would be fewer political frogs.
During the Melaka election campaign, top leaders in BN had voiced support for the implementation of the anti-party hopping law if they were given the majority to form the state government.
Voter Karim Johari Sharif, 68, said having BN form the state government without any cooperation from other coalitions or parties would allow the pact to fulfil all its promises.
"Now BN will be able to move forward without any traitors and focus on the people, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.
"We have seen that BN is very much focused on its plans to rebuild the country based on the 2022 Budget such as providing more work opportunities.
"Hopefully, it will be more focused on Melaka, which relies heavily on tourism.
"There is much work to be done, and the voters have spoken and given the mandate to BN to continue its work to restore the economy, as well as ensure that infrastructure and public health are preserved.
"We are confident that with a combination of new faces, including youths and new faces from BN, they will work hard to ensure that the mandate of the people of various races is always given priority."
Karim said the victory of candidates from BN's component parties, MCA and MIC, also proved that the people fully supported the coalition's concept of power sharing, which has always been proven to provide the best services to the people.