All eyes on Melaka as 79 candidates vie for 28 seats

MELAKA: The spotlight will fall on Melaka within the next week as 79 candidates vie for 28 parliamentary seats in the state election, scheduled for November 14. After nominations closed, political parties and coalitions reshuffled their seat allocations and candidate line-ups, leading to some surprises. Bersatu, for instance, withdrew from the Gadek race despite previously announcing its candidate.

In Gadek, a part of the Alor Gajah parliamentary constituency, the contest now involves four candidates. The Barisan Nasional (BN) will field Melaka MIC deputy chairman S. Nadarajah to defend the seat against three challengers: Jegasilan Kungamboo from Pakatan Harapan, B. Laveen from Bersama, and Laila Norinda Maon from Putra. The New Straits Times has contacted Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Azmin Ali for a response.

This election, unlike the 2021 polls, is less crowded, with a total of 28 seats up for grabs this time compared to 112 candidates in 2021. Dr Mohammad Tawfik Yaakub, a political analyst from Universiti Malaya, attributes this shift to strategic electoral cooperation and selective seat allocation. Parties are concentrating their resources and grassroots machinery on constituencies where they intend to compete.

Of the 28 seats, 11 are straight fights, nine between BN and PH, and two between BN and Bersatu. BN has won all 11 in the previous election. Key contests include Tanjung Bidara, where Dr Ab Rauf Yusoh from BN faces Mohd Yunazri Mustamiri from PH, and Merlimau, where Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh defends the seat against Rahayu Hamzah from PH.

Other seats with straight fights include Ayer Limau, Taboh Naning, Durian Tunggal, Asahan, Ayer Molek, Duyong, and Rim. Six seats will see four-cornered contests, including Bukit Katil, where Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari from PH is defending his seat. Observers are also watching the four-cornered contest in Bemban, featuring candidates from Wawasan, Bersatu, and two others.

The candidates, 49 of whom are below 50 years old, reflect the growing focus on appealing to the young electorate, which comprises about 65 percent of the 687,697 eligible voters.