KUALA LUMPUR, Nov. 15 -- Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) captured 24 of Melaka's 28 seats in yesterday's state election, marking the third state poll in four months where Pakatan Harapan (PH) has lost ground after Johor and Negeri Sembilan.

Here are three takeaways from the result.

BN-PAS formula delivers again

Melaka is the second consecutive state election, following Negeri Sembilan, in which BN and PN jointly outperformed PH.

Their combined tally of 24 seats edges out the 23 they won separately in 2021.

Before polling day, analysts noted that the arrangement could consolidate Malay votes, ending the vote-splitting among Umno, PAS, and Bersatu since 2018 that previously allowed PH to win multi-cornered fights.

Th...