Sulaiman Md Ali opts out of Melaka polls, will not defend Lendu

FORMER Melaka chief minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali will not seek re-election in Lendu, the state seat he has held since 2013.

Sulaiman, who is also deputy chief of the Masjid Tanah UMNO division, confirmed he would not contest in the November 14 state election after three consecutive terms as assemblyman.

“Enough, I have contested enough,” he said as reported.

He first won Lendu in the 2013 general election before retaining the seat in the 2018 general election and the 2021 Melaka state election.

In 2021, Sulaiman secured a majority of 3,104 votes, defeating Perikatan Nasional’s Abdullah Mahadi and Pakatan Harapan’s Muhammad Asri Ibrahim.

He became Melaka’s 12th chief minister on March 9, 2020, taking over from Adly Zahari.

He was sworn in for a second stint after Barisan Nasional won the November 2021 state election, before Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh succeeded him.

Another former chief minister, Datuk Seri Idris Haron, was less forthcoming when asked about his plans for the coming polls.

Idris, who previously represented Sungai Udang, declined to elaborate on whether he would contest. -  October 13, 2026