One-on-one, three-cornered fights dominate 16th Melaka state election

KUALA LUMPUR - The 16th Melaka State Election features 11 straight fights and 11 three-cornered contests across the 28 state constituencies, following the conclusion of the nomination process today.

The remaining six constituencies will see four-cornered contests, marking a significant shift from the 2021 state election, which was dominated by five- and six-cornered races, with no straight fights.

Among the straight fights attracting attention is Tanjung Bidara, where incumbent Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ab Rauf Yusoh of Barisan Nasional (BN) faces Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate Mohd Yunazri Mustamiri, who is making his electoral debut.

In Rim, incumbent Datuk Khaidhirah Abu Zahar, better known as Dira, will face PH candidate Esma Eazreen Husin, the Jasin division chief of the Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Women's Wing.

Duyong will see a straight fight between incumbent Datuk Mohd Noor Helmy Abdul Halem of BN and PH candidate Poo Long Suan, a member of the DAP Melaka Complaints Committee. In Merlimau, incumbent Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh of BN will be challenged by PH candidate Rahayu Hamzah.

Among the three-cornered contests, Machap Jaya will see incumbent Datuk Ngwe Hee Sem of BN face former assemblyman Datuk Ginie Lim Siew Lin of PH and B. Prasanth Kumar of Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama).

In Paya Rumput, Prime Minister's Political Secretary Datuk Azman Abidin, representing PH, will face Rafie Ahmad of Perikatan Nasional (PN) and Abdul Rashid Abu Bakar of Bersama.

Bandar Hilir will see incumbent Leng Chau Yen of PH contest against BN candidate Jasmine Lok Huey Yee and Dr Mohd Nor Rashidi Ab Jalil of Bersama.

Meanwhile, Bukit Katil and Ayer Keroh will each see four-cornered contests.

In Bukit Katil, incumbent and Melaka PH chairman Adly Zahari will face PN candidate Muhammad Ridzuan Mohd Sarif, Bersama candidate Dr Aliza Che Amran and independent candidate Abu Bakar Sabudin.

In Ayer Keroh, incumbent Kerk Chee Yee of PH will be challenged by Datuk Seri Michael Gan Peng Lam of PN, Mohd Hamnaim Mohamad of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) and Muhammad Muhaimin Lau Abdullah of Bersama.

The 28-seat Melaka State Legislative Assembly was dissolved on Sept 23 with the consent of Yang Dipertua Negeri of Melaka Tun Mohd Ali Rustam.

The Election Commission (EC) has set Nov 10 for early voting and Nov 14 as polling day.

A total of 687,697 voters are eligible to cast their ballots, comprising 675,166 ordinary voters, 9,769 military personnel and their spouses, and 2,762 police personnel.

In the 15th Melaka State Election on Nov 20, 2021, BN won 21 seats, with UMNO securing 18, MCA two and MIC one, enabling the coalition to form the state government with a more than two-thirds majority.

PH won five seats, with DAP securing four and AMANAH one, while PN won two. - BERNAMA