Melaka PRN: Ab Rauf, Ridhwan face PH challengers in straight fights in Melaka polls

In Melaka's 16th state election, incumbent Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ab Rauf Yusoh faces off against Pakatan Harapan's Mohd Yunazri Mustamiri in Tanjung Bidara. Similarly, in Ayer Molek, BN candidate Datuk Mohd Ridhwan Mohd Ali will contest against Melaka PKR Youth chief Muhammad Hakimin Mokhtar. Ab Rauf and Ridhwan will vie for their respective seats in a straightforward election battle.

Ab Rauf, who won the Tanjung Bidara seat in 2021 with a 364-vote majority, was officially nominated at 10:35 am by Tanjung Bidara returning officer Saifuddin Abdul Karim at Dewan Datuk Kapt (B) Haji Ab Karim, Japerun Complex. Ab Rauf was accompanied by BN chairman Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi upon his arrival at 9 am, and a throng of BN supporters donned in blue Baju Melayu gathered early to welcome him.

Meanwhile, Yunazri entered the nomination centre at 9:06 am, having arrived at 8:20 am. In Ayer Molek, Ridhwan, a Hang Tuah Jaya Umno division chief and son of Melaka Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Mohd Ali Rustam, and Hakimin, a PKR Youth chief, are the two candidates contesting the seat. Ridhwan is making his second bid for electoral politics, whereas Hakimin is a first-time candidate.