AYER KEROH: At least nine sitting state assemblymen in Melaka could be dropped ahead of the upcoming state election, paving the way for fresh faces.
The potential candidate reshuffle is driven by performance, tenure, seat allocation strategies, and party plans to expand influence, making the positions of at least nine incumbents a focus ahead of official candidate announcements starting next week.
Seats expected to see changes include Kuala Linggi, Rembia, Gadek, Sungai Udang, Pengkalan Batu, Kesidang, Bemban, Serkam, and Sungai Rambai.
In Kuala Linggi, Datuk Rosli Abdullah's position is under scrutiny as Barisan Nasional weighs his experience and grassroots support against the need for candidate renewal.
In Rembia, Datuk Muhamad Jailani Khamis of Pas may see his position tested if the party fields a new candidate to boost its winning prospects in a shifting political landscape.
For Gadek, MIC incumbent Datuk VP Shanmugam faces uncertainty over whether the party will retain him or field a new candidate to draw multiracial support under BN.
In Sungai Udang, Melaka Umno deputy chairman and Paya Rumput incumbent Datuk Rais Yasin has been strongly linked to the seat.
This leaves current Sungai Udang assemblyman Dr Mohd Aleef Yusof of Parti Wawasan Negara in a delicate position, especially if political understandings between BN and Perikatan Nasional require him to make way for a BN candidate.
In Pengkalan Batu, incumbent Datuk Kalsom Nordin faces uncertainty. While her five-year service has been commendable, age factors may prevent the Melaka Umno Wanita chief from defending her seat.
DAP is also expected to make changes in Kesidang, where incumbent Allex Seah Shoo Chin may be dropped to make way for state DAP chairman and Kota Melaka member of parliament Khoo Poay Tiong to contest under the Pakatan Harapan banner.
This follows Kota Melaka Umno's stated readiness to field a BN candidate to wrest the seat from DAP.
In Bemban, incumbent Dr Mohd Yadzil Yaakub of Wawasan faces questions over his candidacy amid political realignments within the opposition, while in Serkam, three-term incumbent Datuk Zaidi Attan may be replaced as the party considers balancing experience with new blood.
In Sungai Rambai, incumbent Datuk Siti Faizah Abdul Azis noted her position is not guaranteed until official announcements are made, adding that she remains focused on serving her constituents.
Overall, candidate selection will test parties' ability to balance loyalty to incumbents, grassroots expectations and the need to field candidates with strong electoral prospects.
In a multi-cornered contest, decisions to retain or drop incumbents could affect not only individual candidates but also their parties' overall strength in the state.
However, the names remain speculative until the respective party leaderships make official announcements.
With nomination day approaching, attention is now on how far the parties' final calculations will reshape the line-up of incumbents defending their seats.
The Election Commission has set Nov 14 for polling in the Melaka state election, with nomination day on Oct 31 and early voting on Nov 10.
BN is scheduled to announce its candidate lineup on Oct 28, while PH and PN are expected to do so four days earlier.
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