Melaka polls: Pakatan pledges grants for women traders, proposes more childcare centres, says Adly Zahari

Bukit Katil state assemblyman (N.17) Adly Zahari (left) spends time visiting the homes of residents in conjunction with Deepavali at Rumah Awam Bukit Katil during a visit programme for the 16th Melaka state election campaign November 8, 2026. — Bernama pic

First Published: Monday, 09 Nov 2026 3:10 PM MYT

MELAKA, Nov 9 — Special grants for women traders and a proposal to increase the number of government-operated childcare centres are among Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) offers if it is given the mandate to govern Melaka in the 16th state election.

Melaka PH chairman Adly Zahari said the grants were aimed at strengthening household incomes in the state.

He said the grants, offered under the Women Empowerment aspiration in the ‘Melaka Rumah Kita’ manifesto, would also cater to the actual needs of traders, including purchasing equipment, increasing stock and expanding production capacity.

He said opportunities to help generate household income would be difficult to fully utilise if parents did not have access to suitable childcare services, particularly those working shifts.

“Location, affordability, operating hours and safety must be the main considerations to ensure these facilities suit parents’ routines, including those working shifts,” he said at a daily press conference at the PH Main Operations Room in Bukit Baru here today.

Elaborating, Adly, who is also the PH candidate for the Bukit Katil seat, said PH wanted to help women running small businesses and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) expand their businesses according to their respective needs.

“This support must take into account actual needs, such as purchasing equipment, increasing stock and boosting production capacity.

“The selection of recipients, meanwhile, should be based on eligibility and reasonable plans for utilising the funds, accompanied by guidance on cost management and marketing,” he said.

He said meetings with members of the public during the campaign had revealed that many small-scale entrepreneurs still needed guidance on marketing their products online and making use of available media platforms.

The former Melaka Chief Minister said marketing training and technical support were important for women entrepreneurs in the SME sector to build stronger businesses, retain customers and contribute to their families’ financial stability.

“Women make up a significant proportion of voters in Melaka, and PH wants to ensure that women in business have access to childcare and reliable support resources so that they can continue contributing to the country,” he said. — Bernama