GEORGE TOWN: The Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional coalition romped home to a comfortable victory to form the next state government with a two-third majority.
Caretaker Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the PH-BN coalition had bagged a total of 29 out of the 40 seats.
He said DAP had won all 19 seats it contested, PKR (seven out of 13), Amanah (one out of two) and BN (two out of six).
Perikatan Nasional's 11 seats, however, showed that it had made inroads into the state. Prior to dissolution of the 14th state legislative assembly, PH had controlled 37 seats, BN had two and PN had only one, via Pas.
However, the outcome was still positive for PH-BN as it was made all that much sweeter because the unity coalition had entered the fight with last minute infighting caused by unhappiness among long-serving representatives who were unceremoniously dropped from contesting.
This unhappiness over candidate selections led to some party members going independent.
Former Seberang Prai councillor David Marshel contested as an independent against his party in Prai while M. Satees attempted to defend his Bagan Dalam seat as an independent candidate.
Both, however, were soundly beaten, losing their deposits when they polled just over 1,000 votes each.
Speaking to reporters after results started trickling in last night, Chow said the coalition had secured a two-third majority and would go on to form the next state government.
However, he acknowledged that the coalition still faced challenges moving forward.
"We will analyse and see where we need to improve. We will ensure this PH-BN government fulfills the aspiration and wishes of the people," he said.
Despite losing a number of seats, there was still some positives.
For instance, PH candidate for Bayan Lepas, Azrul Mahathir Aziz, turned giant slayer as he scalped state Perikatan Nasional chairman Datuk Dominic Lau Hoe Chai.
He was defending the seat for PH, but big doubts were cast when PN decided to field Lau, who is Gerakan president.
"I have managed to defend the Bayan Lepas state seat. We will ensure to make good on the mandate given by the people to us," Azrul said in a short video footage.
Azrul, from Parti Amanah Negara, thanked all the election machinery from Umno and Amanah who had helped him throughout.
"I also thank all the voters for choosing the unity government," he added.
Meanwhile, state Gerakan chairman Oh Tong Keong said the party accepted its defeat in all 19 seats they contested in.
"The people have made their decision and we accept them. Nevertheless, we will not give up. We will continue with our fight for the people.
"We will continue to play our role as a check-and-balance force," he said.
Oh said the voters, particularly the Chinese, still preferred to choose their elected representatives along party lines rather than the candidates.
Besides Gerakan, Bersatu and Pas contested in 11 and 10 states respectively.