KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 14 — Melaka voters head to the polls today for a state election that began as a contest over development, governance and political alliances, but has become increasingly dominated by the controversy surrounding former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s house arrest.
The issue has given Barisan Nasional (BN), particularly Umno, an opportunity to present Najib’s transfer from prison to home detention as the fruit of its efforts and a promise delivered to its supporters.
Meanwhile, Pakatan Harapan (PH) has used the controversy as a rallying point to challenge Umno and mobilise voters unhappy with the decision.
Umno president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has argued that the conditional pardon granted to Najib under Article 42 of the Federal Constitution must be respected, warning that protests against the decision could amount to challenging the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s constitutional authority.
