ALOR GAJAH, Nov 12 (Bernama) -- It was not quite an ordinary evening at the Taman Rekreasi Datuk Wira Poh Ah Tiam night market in Machap Baru today, as shoppers and traders got a surprise visit from Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Word had spread early, with Pakatan Harapan (PH) supporters and curious members of the public gathering from about 6 pm, eager to catch a glimpse of Anwar, who is also PH chairman and PKR president.
When Anwar arrived at about 6.50 pm, he spent the next 10 minutes chatting with traders and visitors, exchanging greetings and introducing Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate for the Machap Jaya state seat, Datuk Ginie Lim Siew Lin.
The casual walkabout, part of the 16th Melaka state election campaign, was also joined by PKR Wanita chief Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek.
Anwar later made his way to Machap Walk, where he greeted PH supporters and delivered a brief speech.
“I am here to show my support for Ginie Lim. We want to bring change, and I urge the Chinese, Indians, Malays, Orang Asli and everyone else to come together in support of PH,” he said before wrapping up his walkabout at 7.07 pm.
For soy milk seller Sith Siew Pueh, 60, the highlight of the evening was getting to shake hands with Anwar and meet him in person for the first time.
“I am so happy. PMX reached out to shake my hand and asked how I was. This is the first time I have seen him up close; usually, I only see him on television.
“It is good when leaders come out to meet the people during elections. We get the chance to meet them and talk to them,” said Sith, who has been trading at the night market for more than 10 years.
Women's accessories seller Wong Tin Kim, 41, from Taman Melor, Machap Baru, was equally delighted by the visit, saying it had given her a boost in supporting the PH candidate in the constituency.
The Machap Jaya seat is being contested by three candidates: Lim, incumbent Datuk Ngwe Hee Sem of Barisan Nasional (BN) and Prasanth Kumar Brakasam of Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama).
Polling is on Saturday. For updates, visit https://election.bernama.com/prn/melaka/2026/.
-- BERNAMA