DAP secured Ayer Keroh with 5,544 votes, defying a broader regional trend against Pakatan Harapan during the Melaka state election, The Edge Malaysia reported.
Incumbent Kerk Chee Yee garnered about 14,100 votes in a four-cornered contest against candidates from Perikatan Nasional, Bersama, and Bersatu. The Perikatan Nasional candidate came in second with about 8,556 votes, accounting for 34% of the total votes cast.
Ayer Keroh houses the Melaka state government administration and stands as a mixed constituency. Chinese voters make up 46% of its electorate, followed by Malays at 44.1% and Indians at 8.2%.
Perikatan Nasional had previously targeted the seat, hoping to capitalize on a projected wave of Malay support. Political analysts had identified Ayer Keroh as a seat Pakatan Harapan could potentially lose.
“But we won the seat. This shows that Ayer Keroh voters have accepted our candidate and our party,” said Khoo Poay Tiong, DAP Melaka chief.
Khoo, who spoke at a news conference, described the victory as important.
Khoo expressed sadness over the defeat of coalition partners Amanah and PKR, which failed to win any seats in the state. Pakatan Harapan won only four of the 24 state assembly seats it contested, according to unofficial results cited by the Malay Mail.
Melaka Pakatan Harapan chairman Adly Zahari said the coalition would assess its performance to strengthen public confidence. He noted the results would be brought before the Pakatan Harapan Presidential Council for a comprehensive review.
“I believe PH will have much to explain and reflect upon following today’s results in Melaka,” Adly told a press conference at the coalition’s main operations centre.
Prior to polling day on Saturday, Pakatan Harapan leaders emphasized the stability of their coalition. PKR secretary-general Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail pointed to trust and mutual respect as the foundation of cooperation among component parties, distinguishing the alliance from competitors like PAS, according to KLSE Screener.
Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said: ““Harapan is a coalition where, when we work together, we are united because our friendship is based on trust and respect. That is what matters.””
He added:
“Our candidates represent a coalition bloc called Harapan. What sets PH apart is that it is a tested coalition, and the key that binds us together is trust and respect. These are very important values in a political coalition.”
Saifuddin also said: ““PAS was once allied with Umno in 1974, but the alliance lasted only until 1977, just three years. PAS was once allied with us [PH], but later left. PAS was also once allied with Bersatu, but later left.””
He further stated:
“PAS was once allied with Umno under Muafakat Nasional, but they fell out. Now PAS has returned to Umno. PAS is a party that cannot maintain friendships. Whenever it forms an alliance, there is bound to be a problem.”
| Candidate / Party | Estimated Votes | Voter Share |
|---|---|---|
| Kerk Chee Yee (DAP) | 14,100 | Majority of 5,544 |
| Perikatan Nasional (Gerakan) | 8,556 | 34% |
Khoo ruled out the possibility of DAP leaving the coalition despite the broader regional setbacks. He stated that the coalition would take collective responsibility for the election outcome and conduct an in-depth review with all component parties.
