MELAKA Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh will lead Barisan Nasional's (BN) election preparations for the 16th Melaka state election, taking over the role from Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan.
BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi announced the appointment after chairing the coalition's main committee meeting last night, confirming that the decision had been endorsed by the committee.
“I am announcing that Datuk Seri Rauf is the BN Melaka state election director,” he said.
Zahid said Mohamad, better known as Tok Mat, could not take on the responsibility because of his foreign ministerial duties, including overseas assignments during the campaign period.
These include Commonwealth meetings and regional engagements, particularly the ASEAN Summit in Manila, as well as meetings in other countries.
Mohamad, who is also BN deputy chairman, previously served as the coalition's national election director, coordinating preparations for the 15th General Election (GE15).
He also led BN's campaign machinery during the 2021 Melaka state election and the 2022 Johor state election.
Ab Rauf, who also chairs the Melaka Umno liaison committee, expressed appreciation for the confidence placed in him and said he would work with the party's leadership to discharge the responsibility. - October 23, 2026