MCA names Melvin Chua as Kota Laksamana candidate in Melaka polls

In a recent turn of events, the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) has secured an additional seat in the upcoming Melaka election, previously allocated to Perikatan Nasional (PN). This development has brought the Barisan Nasional's (BN) total seats in the state to 23, with PN and its allies holding five of the 28 state constituencies. The party announced the extra seat through a Facebook post, naming Melvin Chua Kew Wei as its candidate for Kota Laksamana.

The allocation of Kota Laksamana to MCA has shifted PN's share of seats in Melaka from six to five. PN had previously unveiled five candidates, including two from Pas, one from Parti Wawasan Negara (Wawasan), and one from Gerakan. Among them were Ridzuan Sarif from Pas committee member, who will contest Bukit Katil, and Rafie Ahmad from Tangga Batu Pas deputy chief, who will contest Paya Rumput.

Despite this change, MCA will still field incumbents Datuk Ngwe Hee Sem in Machap Jaya and Datuk Lim Ban Hong in Klebang. Additionally, Melaka Historic City Council member Jasmine Lok Huey Yee will run for Bandar Hilir. The party's seat increase has come twice since BN announced its candidates on October 24th, initially allocating MCA just two seats. Since then, the party secured Bandar Hilir before adding Kota Laksamana, bringing its total to four seats, compared to 7 in the 2021 election.

MCA plans to defend their seats in Machap Jaya and Klebang, their only victories in the 2021 election, while attempting to take Kota Laksamana and Bandar Hilir from the Democratic Action Party (DAP). The Election Commission has set the nomination day for October 31st, with polling scheduled for November 14th.