{
  "id": 17209370,
  "title": "MCA gets fourth seat as BN takes Kota Laksamana from PN",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/mca-gets-fourth-seat-as-bn-takes-kota-laksamana-from-pn",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-30T10:03:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/news/regional/2026/10/1567073/mca-gets-fourth-seat-bn-takes-kota-laksamana-pn"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "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.\n\nThe 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.\n\nDespite 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.\n\nMCA 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.",
  "summary": "KUALA LUMPUR: MCA will contest four seats in the Melaka election after securing Kota Laksamana, a constituency initially allocated to Perikatan Nasional (PN).",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Vibes",
        "title": "PN yet to name Kota Laksamana candidate after MIPP's last-minute withdrawal",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/pn-yet-to-name-kota-laksamana-candidate-after-mipps-last-minute",
        "published": "2026-10-30T00:21:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malaysiakini",
        "title": "PN handing over Kota Laksamana seat to MCA?",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/pn-handing-over-kota-laksamana-seat-to-mca",
        "published": "2026-10-30T07:53:10.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "MCA names Melvin Chua as Kota Laksamana candidate in Melaka polls",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/mca-names-melvin-chua-as-kota-laksamana-candidate-in-melaka-polls",
        "published": "2026-10-30T09:24:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Eleventh-hour boost for MCA: Perikatan returns Kota Laksamana, bringing Melaka seat tally to four",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/eleventh-hour-boost-for-mca-perikatan-returns-kota-laksamana-bringing",
        "published": "2026-10-30T11:06:17.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}