MELAKA, Nov. 14 -- [8.45pm] Barisan Nasional (BN) has won the Melaka state election, with unofficial results as of about 8.35pm showing it past the 15 seats needed to form the government on its own.

Of the 24 seats declared so far, BN has taken 19, Pakatan Harapan (PH) four and Perikatan Nasional (PN) one. Four seats were still outstanding at that point: Bukit Katil, Paya Rumput, Kelebang and Ayer Molek.

BN's results are decisive. Its biggest majorities came in Serkam (11,742 votes), Sungai Udang (12,036) and Telok Mas (10,903). It also captured Sungai Udang from PN, which held the seat in 2021, and kept Machap Jaya by 1,925 votes against PH's Ginie Lim, after PH had led there at 7.19pm. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh retained ...