BUKIT KATIL (Oct 31): Bukit Katil (N.17) incumbent and Alor Gajah MP Adly Zahari of Amanah (Pakatan Harapan) faces a tough siege from a joint offence from Perikatan Nasional’s PAS and Barisan Nasional.
PAS has fielded Ridzuan Sarif, while BN has stepped back as per agreed seat negotiations.
Coupled with Bersama’s Dr Aliza Che Amran and independent candidate Abu Bakar B Sabudin, a four-way fight is set in Bukit Katil.
Adly was joined by Amanah president Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu in marching to the nomination centre.
PAS’ Ridzuan was joined by party secretary general Datuk Seri Takiyuddin Hassan, Arau MP Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim and a slew of other PAS MPs with PN and BN supporters.
PAS president Tan Sri Abdul Hadi Awang, 79, arrived later at the nomination centre by car. Bersama leader Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli was also present for a short period.
The contrast between the crowd of supporters marching with the PAS candidate and those with PH’s was clear: PH supporters were dwarfed by the PN-BN contingent by at least a factor of 10.
Bukit Katil is a Malay-majority constituency. Malays make up 63.5% of the electorate, followed by Chinese (29.9%) and Indians (4.8%).
Adly, who is also Melaka PH chairman and deputy defence minister, has held the Bukit Katil seat for two terms.
In 2021, he won the seat with a 6.5% margin in a four-way bout against Umno, PAS and an independent candidate.
Adly secured 41.6% of votes, followed by the Umno candidate’s 35.1% and PAS’ 22.7%.
A successful consolidation of votes between PAS and Umno would mean a tough defence for PH.
Bukit Katil is one of five state seats PH has in Melaka. BN has 21 seats and Bersatu, two.
Voters are set to head to the polls on Nov 14.