AYER KEROH: Barisan Nasional (BN) has unveiled its 21 candidates for the Nov 14 Melaka election, including caretaker Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh, who will defend Tanjung Bidara.
Rauf, who is also Melaka BN chairman, announced the line-up at the Melaka International Trade Centre (MITC) here tonight.
Present were BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, deputy chairman Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir and Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani.
Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh will defend Merlimau, following speculation that he might switch constituencies.
Akmal had previously floated Serkam and Sungai Rambai as possible alternatives. He had also said he would not contest if BN cooperated with Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the state election.
Duyong incumbent Datuk Mohd Noor Helmy Abdul Halem was also retained to defend his seat.
BN will contest 21 of the state's 28 seats, while Perikatan Nasional (PN) will contest the remaining seven under an electoral cooperation agreement.
In the 2021 state election, BN won 21 seats to secure a two-thirds majority, while PH won five and PN two.
Nomination is on Oct 31, followed by early voting on Nov 10 and polling on Nov 14.
BN candidates for the Melaka state election:
Kuala Linggi – Rosli Abdullah
Tanjung Bidara – Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh
Ayer Limau – Datuk Hameed Mytheen Kunju Basheer
Lendu – Datuk Abdul Hakim Abdul Wahid
Taboh Naning – Datuk Zulkiflee Mohd Zin
Rembia – Ahmad Norazril Abd Aziz
Gadek – Nadarajah Selappa
Machap Jaya – Datuk Ngwe Hee Sem
Durian Tunggal – Datuk Dr Mustafa Musa
Asahan – Datuk Dr Faizrul Nizam
Sungai Udang – Datuk Rais Yasin
Pantai Kundor – Datuk Tuminah Kadi
Klebang – Datuk Lim Ban Hong
Pengkalan Batu – Siti Aisyah Mahmood
Ayer Molek – Datuk Mohd Ridhwan Mohd Ali
Duyong – Datuk Mohd Noor Helmy Abdul Halem
Telok Mas – Datuk Wira Abdul Razak Abdul Rahman
Rim – Datuk Khaidira Abu Zahar
Serkam – Datuk Azman Abdullah
Merlimau – Datuk Dr Akmal Saleh
Sungai Rambai – Jezlee Pit
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