MELAKA: Former Melaka Yang-di Pertua Negeri Tun Mohd Khalil Yaakob appears to be campaigning for Pakatan Harapan ahead of the state election on Saturday (Nov 20), drawing mixed reactions form locals.

       Mohd Khalil, who served as governor from 2004 to 2020, has been on the campaign trail since Nov 15.

       The former Umno stalwart, 83, visited several constituencies including Duyong, Asahan, Pengkalan Batu and Telok Mas.

       Trader Chong Kok Kiong, 43, from Bandar Hilir, said Mohd Khalil's showed up in certain constituencies deemed "grey" for Pakatan.

       "It's his prerogative as he is retired from politics," he said on Friday (Nov 19).

       Chong said he would be voting based on his evaluation on coalitions' manifestos and not by the presence of political bigwigs or ex-leaders.

       Security officer from Klebang, Shazuan Mohd Azhar, 34, said Mohd Khalil was helping candidates deemed to have slim chances of winning.

       Hotelier Dennis Samford, 45, said he was surprised to see the former governor on the campaign trail.

       Businessman K. Krishna, 51, from Alor Gajah said Mohd Khalil should not be dragged into politics.

       Krishna opined that attempts to swing votes could be futile as constituents would have already made up their minds.

       Political analyst Dr Mohd Akbal Abdullah said attempts to show support for Pakatan from Mohd Khalil was a last-ditch measure to win voters in these constituencies.

       "There was a reason Mohd Khalil shifted his support to Pakatan and locals are aware of what went on," he said.

       Mohd Khalil was spotted with Pakatan's Paya Rumput candidate Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin on the final day of campaigning.

       "Together with Tun Khalil Yaakob who came down to give support to Pakatan candidate for Paya Rumput state seat @shamsuliskandar," tweeted Opposition chief and PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Friday.

       Mohd Khalil had been reserved in his campaigning, meeting people at stalls, taking photos and noted that as a former governor, he must maintain some degree of neutrality.

       Anwar added that Mohd Khalil also supported all Pakatan candidates contesting in the Melaka polls.

       A total of 112 candidates will be contesting in the polls in 28 constituencies.