Let’s talk Machap Jaya’s future: Pakatan hopeful hands out invitation cards, Bersama candidate says yes, BN incumbent says now is time for work

Machap Jaya candidates (from left) Barisan Nasional’s Datuk Ngwe Hee Sem, Pakatan Harapan’s Datuk Ginie Lim Siew Lin and Bersatu’s Prasanth Kumar show their ballot order numbers after nominations in Melaka on October 31, 2026. — Bernama pic

First Published: Saturday, 31 Oct 2026 3:18 PM MYT

ALOR GAJAH, Oct 31 — Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate for the Machap Jaya seat, Datuk Ginie Lim Siew Lin, has invited her two opponents in the Melaka State Election to an open dialogue to discuss development plans for the constituency.

Lim, who won the seat in the 2018 state election, said the proposed dialogue was aimed at encouraging objective and constructive discussions rather than allowing the campaign to revolve around personal attacks and criticism of opponents.

“We hope to discuss how we can develop or make Machap a better place over the next five years. We want to move away from a style of politics that consists merely of shouting or badmouthing one another,” she told reporters after the nomination process for the Machap Jaya seat at the Machap Jaya Development and Coordination Committee (Japerun) complex in Bukit Bulat today.

Earlier, she was seen handing invitation cards to the other two candidates for the seat, Datuk Ngwe Hee Sem of Barisan Nasional (BN) and B. Prasanth Kumar of Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama).

Lim, a former state executive council (exco) member who held the portfolios of Women, Family Development, Welfare Affairs and Orang Asli Community, described her contest against incumbent Ngwe, also known as YB Sem, as a “friendly” rivalry, noting that both had experience serving in the state executive council.

Meanwhile, Ngwe said he had yet to decide whether to accept Lim’s invitation, as he needed to review his campaign schedule, adding that the current campaign period was not an appropriate time for such a dialogue.

“For me, now is the time for work, not dialogue. I am already aware of the people’s issues, having served for five years. It is not as if I am only now asking what needs to be done,” said Ngwe, who is the state exco for Health, Human Resources and Unity.

He said his five years as an elected representative, during which he had consistently engaged with residents and addressed their concerns, would stand him in good stead in defending the seat.

Prasanth Kumar, however, welcomed Lim’s invitation, describing the proposed dialogue as a useful platform for candidates to exchange ideas and proposals for the benefit of Machap Jaya residents.

“I believe this open dialogue is a good platform for us to pool our ideas. While each candidate may have different approaches, I am confident that everyone shares the same goal, to help the community in the Machap Jaya constituency,” said the law graduate.

Commenting on his contest against two former state executive councillors, Prasanth Kumar said that although Bersama was only five months old, he had considerable experience in politics and administration, having contested the Rim state seat in the previous state election.

He had also served as Special Secretary for Community Affairs to former Melaka Chief Minister Adly Zahari, and as an officer with special duties to former Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability, Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad.

Lim won the Machap Jaya seat in the 2018 state election with a majority of 1,336 votes, polling 5,550 votes in a three-cornered contest against Koh Nai Kwong of BN-MCA and Wan Zahidi Wan Ismail of PAS.

In the 2021 state election, Ngwe won the seat with 3,732 votes, defeating PH candidate Law Bing Haw by a 938-vote majority in a five-cornered contest. Lim did not contest in that election.

The Election Commission (EC) has set November 10 for early voting and November 14 as polling day for the 16th Melaka State Election.

For the latest updates on the 16th Melaka State Election, visit https://election.bernama.com/prn/melaka/2026/. — Bernama