Ali Rustam: Chinese didn't appreciate me

Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam has attributed his defeat for the Bukit Katil parliamentary seat to the people not appreciating the good deeds he has done for them over the past 13 years.

Mohd Ali, who is also Melaka BN Chairman, said that voters, especially the Chinese, did not appreciate all the services and efforts undertaken by the BN government in developing the state and safeguarding the welfare of the rakyat.

"I am deeply disappointed with the election results this time which did not favour either me or BN, as if the party had done nothing to help the people.

"The results have proven that the Chinese community do not appreciate the government, they just want to change without considering the consequences and what we have done for them all this while," he told a press conference at 1.30 am today at his house at Seri Bendahara here.

Mohd Ali, who garnered 40,720 votes, lost by a 5,447 majority to Melaka PKR Chairman Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin who received 46,167 votes.

However, he said he was happy that BN managed to retain control of the state with a two-thirds majority.

Melaka BN won 21 state seats, which was lower by two compared with 23 seats won in GE12.

Mohd Ali said he would also meet Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to discuss the candidate for the new chief minister's post to replace him soon.

Asked on his political future, he said, "let time decide."