{
  "id": 16348257,
  "title": "Rauf to defend Tanjung Bidara, Akmal to defend Merlimau in Melaka polls",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/24/rauf-to-defend-tanjung-bidara-akmal-to-defend-merlimau-in-melaka-polls-16348257",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-24T15:34:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/10/24/rauf-to-defend-tanjung-bidara-akmal-to-defend-merlimau-in-melaka-polls"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ab Rauf Yusoh, the Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, will defend the Tanjung Bidara seat in Melaka's upcoming state election on November 14. Dr Akmal Saleh, the Umno Youth chief, will defend his Merlimau seat despite previously considering other options. Akmal sparked debate about his electoral strategy by inquiring on Facebook about contesting in Serkam or Sungai Rambai following his victory in the 2021 Merlimau polls. The BN decided not to defend seven of its previous seats in Melaka, with former Chief Minister Sulaiman Ali and five other incumbents opting out. The coalition is also introducing several new candidates. BN has selected 21 candidates for the election, while PN has chosen five. The list of candidates includes names such as Rosli Abdullah for Kuala Linggi, Ab Rauf Yusoh for Tanjung Bidara, and Akmal Saleh for Merlimau.",
  "summary": "Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh previously hinted that he might contest another seat.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Vibes",
        "title": "Ab Rauf takes charge of BN's Melaka election campaign",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/23/ab-rauf-takes-charge-of-bns-melaka-election-campaign",
        "published": "2026-10-23T01:33:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}