Ahead of a major state election, many Malaysians — candidates, campaign teams, and politically active citizens alike — are navigating a complex web of rules governing campaign conduct. One area generating significant attention is the use of drones for campaigning. For anyone planning to deploy aerial technology during the 16th Melaka State Election, the message from authorities is clear: prior approval is not optional, it is mandatory.
Melaka police have stepped forward to ensure that all political parties and election candidates understand the regulatory requirements surrounding drone operations, public order, and campaign compliance — protecting both the integrity of the democratic process and the safety of Melaka residents.
Rooted in Public Safety: Melaka Police Issue Firm Drone Rules for Election Candidates
Melaka police chief Datuk Dzulkhairi Mukhtar confirmed that drone use during the Melaka State Election campaign is subject to strict regulatory controls, with approval from the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) required before any aerial device can be deployed.
“Political parties cannot simply use equipment such as drones, as approval from the relevant agencies is required,” Datuk Dzulkhairi stated plainly. He further noted that even the police themselves must obtain approval before deploying drones for operational purposes — underscoring that no party, regardless of standing, is exempt from the rules.
This directive was delivered during a briefing on the 16th Melaka State Election held for political party representatives at the Melaka Police Contingent Headquarters. The briefing, attended by 140 political party representatives from across Melaka, also included participation from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) and the Election Commission (EC). Its purpose was to help political parties understand the procedures and compliance requirements they must follow throughout the election period, including regulations governing campaign permits.
Serving the Melaka Community: How 3,400 Officers Will Protect Election Safety and Order
The services provided by Melaka police during the election period directly address a practical concern shared by every resident of the state: the need for a safe, orderly, and fair democratic process.
To deliver on that commitment, Melaka police will deploy approximately 3,400 personnel to maintain security and public order throughout the election period. This includes an additional 1,500 officers brought in from outside the state, with their deployment coordinated by Bukit Aman. Police will also utilise technology — including closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and drones operated by a dedicated special team — to support the smooth conduct of the election.
Beyond physical deployment, the police have extended practical support to campaign teams. For permit applications, candidates’ representatives will be called in by district to facilitate early applications, making it easier for all parties to conduct campaign activities within the legal framework. This community-level assistance ensures that ordinary candidates and smaller political parties are not left behind by bureaucratic complexity.
Datuk Dzulkhairi also reminded all political parties and candidates to refrain from raising issues involving race, religion, and royalty (3R), spreading defamatory allegations, or engaging in any actions that could disrupt public order during the campaign period, which begins on October 31.
Inclusive Access to Election Compliance: All Parties Welcomed to Understand the Rules
It has come to light that Melaka police are committed to making election compliance accessible to all participants, regardless of party size or political affiliation. The October 22 briefing, held at the Melaka Police Contingent Headquarters, was open to all 140 political party representatives from across the state — reflecting a deliberate effort to ensure no group faces unnecessary barriers to understanding their legal obligations.
The session covered requirements for campaign permits, drone use regulations, social media conduct guidelines, and the proper channels for lodging reports. Representatives from both MCMC and the Election Commission were present, giving all attendees direct access to multi-agency guidance in a single forum.
This approach benefits first-time candidates and smaller parties in particular, groups that may not have dedicated legal teams to navigate election regulations independently. By proactively briefing all parties together, Melaka police have lowered the practical barriers to compliant campaigning.
Ahead of nominations, police had already received two reports involving political parties — lodged on October 14 — concerning the vehicle-free zone in Banda Hilir and an issue involving a Rohingya ethnic school. Both cases are under investigation under Section 500 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
Licensed, Regulated, and Accountable: Community Residents Can Trust the Process
Safety is what community residents care about most when it comes to election conduct, and Melaka police have structured their operations to provide exactly that assurance. The police force operates under full legal authority, with every aspect of the election deployment — from personnel numbers to drone operations — subject to official oversight and transparent regulatory frameworks.
All drone operations conducted by police during the election will be carried out by a dedicated special team that has obtained the necessary approvals from CAAM, the same standard being applied to political parties. This consistency reinforces public confidence that no entity operates above the rules.
A total of 2,764 early voters, including postal voters from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), have been recorded for the Melaka state election scheduled for November 10, 2026. The transparent disclosure of these figures, alongside the publicly held party briefing, reflects the police force’s commitment to long-term community trust — not merely compliance on paper.
Issues involving 3R and social media content will be referred to MCMC for investigation, ensuring that any community concerns raised during the campaign period are handled by the appropriate specialist body rather than dismissed or delayed.
Here’s What You Need to Know About Melaka Election Drone Rules and Police Preparations
Can election candidates use drones during the Melaka State Election campaign? Candidates and political parties may use drones during the Melaka State Election campaign, but they must first obtain approval from the relevant authorities, including the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM), before any drone can be deployed.
Do the police also need approval to use drones during the election? Yes. Melaka police chief Datuk Dzulkhairi Mukhtar confirmed that even the police must obtain the necessary approval before deploying drones for operational purposes during the election period.
How many police officers will be deployed for the Melaka State Election? Approximately 3,400 police personnel will be deployed to ensure security and public order during the Melaka State Election, including an additional 1,500 officers from outside the state coordinated by Bukit Aman.
What topics are political candidates forbidden from raising during the Melaka election campaign? All political parties and candidates are reminded to avoid raising issues involving race, religion, and royalty (3R), spreading defamatory allegations, or engaging in actions that could disrupt public order during the campaign period, which begins on October 31.
What happens if a candidate posts problematic content on social media during the campaign? Social media content involving 3R issues will be referred to the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) for investigation. Two reports lodged on October 14 are already under investigation under Section 500 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
How can candidates apply for campaign permits in Melaka? Melaka police will call in candidates’ representatives according to their respective districts to facilitate early permit applications, making it easier for all parties to organise campaign activities within the legal framework.
When is the Melaka State Election scheduled, and how many early voters are registered? The 16th Melaka State Election is scheduled for November 10, 2026. A total of 2,764 early voters, including postal voters from the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), have been recorded for this election.
The 16th Melaka State Election, scheduled for November 10, 2026, will be conducted under a comprehensive framework of public safety, legal compliance, and community protection. Melaka police, under the leadership of Datuk Dzulkhairi Mukhtar, are committed to ensuring every resident — voter and candidate alike — can participate in a secure and orderly electoral process.
Candidates and political parties with questions about drone approval, campaign permits, or compliance requirements are encouraged to contact the Melaka Police Contingent Headquarters directly to arrange an early consultation and permit application before the campaign period opens on October 31.
