{
  "id": 17378457,
  "title": "Zahid backs Ab Rauf for another term as Melaka CM if BN wins",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/31/zahid-backs-ab-rauf-for-another-term-as-melaka-cm-if-bn-wins",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-31T09:57:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Vibes",
    "slug": "the-vibes",
    "url": "https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/129019/zahid-backs-ab-rauf-for-another-term-as-melaka-cm-if-bn-wins"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has pledged to recommend Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh for a second term as Melaka Chief Minister, should the coalition triumph in the upcoming Nov 14 state election. Zahid underscored that the final decision would rest with Melaka's Yang Di Pertua Negeri, Tun Dr Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam. Speaking alongside Ab Rauf at the nomination center for the Tanjung Bidara state seat, Zahid called for voters to evaluate the state government's performance under Ab Rauf before casting their ballots. He cautioned against a campaign marred by slander and personal attacks, expressing hope for a calm electoral process in Melaka. The BN and its strategic partners in Perikatan Nasional (PN) plan to contest all 28 state seats, with Umno, MCA, and MIC allocating specific numbers of seats each. Zahid dismissed rumors of MCA boycotting the election and confirmed that the party had accepted its allocation of four seats.",
  "summary": "BARISAN Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will recommend Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh for another term as Melaka Chief Minister if the coalition wins the Nov 14 state election. Zahid said he would put forward Ab Rauf’s name, although t...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Melaka polls: MCA gets two additional seats based on winnability – Rauf",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/melaka-polls-mca-gets-two-additional-seats-based-on-winnability-rauf",
        "published": "2026-10-30T13:48:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Friends, foes and four awkward clashes: Who’s teaming up with whom in the Melaka polls?",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/30/friends-foes-and-four-awkward-clashes-whos-teaming-up-with-whom-in",
        "published": "2026-10-30T23:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}