Anwar unveils PH's 21 candidates for Melaka polls

Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim unveiled the coalition's 21 candidates for the Melaka state election at Stadium Hang Jebat. According to the Free Malaysia Today, PH will not contest seven of the 28 seats, including Bemban, amid speculation regarding a possible electoral understanding with Bersatu. This speculation follows a dinner between state PH and Bersatu leaders last month that was not attended by DAP representatives, though Melaka PH has maintained it will contest the election on its own.

The lineup includes former chief minister Adly Zahari, who will defend the Bukit Katil seat. Anwar praised Zahari's competence during the announcement. Other candidates include Kerk Chee Yee for Ayer Keroh, Azman Abidin for Paya Rumput, Ginie Lim for Machap Jaya, Jason Tze-Xi Nathan for Pengkalan Batu, and Farzana Hayani for Klebang.

The 16th Melaka state election is scheduled for Nov 14, with nomination day on Oct 31 and early voting on Nov 10, according to Malay Mail. Prior to the candidate announcement, Anwar attended three strategic party meetings in Banda Hilir involving nearly 40 leaders, including acting deputy president Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and information chief Datuk Seri Fahmi Fadzil.

Brief written by urgent.news from New Straits Times, Free Malaysia Today, Malay Mail — 3 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.