Campaigning has begun for the Melaka state election in Malaysia, with 79 candidates competing for 28 seats following the close of nominations on October 31. The election, scheduled for November 14, reflects a complex political landscape marked by shifting alliances and competitive contests.
The ballot includes six four-cornered contests, 11 three-cornered fights, and 11 straight one-on-one races. Several key matchups will see the ruling coalition Barisan Nasional (BN) face off directly against Pakatan Harapan (PH), testing voter response to evolving political coalitions.
BN aims to maintain its stronghold in Melaka, where it won 21 of the 28 seats in the 2021 state election. PH previously secured five seats, while Perikatan Nasional (PN) took two. Since then, BN and PN have entered a seat-sharing arrangement to avoid internal competition, while PH seeks to recover ground following recent losses. The election will also further examine the impact of new political collaborations, such as the cooperation between BN and PAS demonstrated in Negeri Sembilan’s August state election.
According to Election Commission chairman Ramlan Harun, all nomination papers were accepted without disqualifications. PH leads with 24 candidates, BN follows with 23, and Parti Bersama Malaysia is fielding 16 candidates. Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia is contesting seven seats, PN five, with Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia nominating one candidate. There are also three independents in the fray. Candidates are predominantly male, with only 14 women among the 79 contenders. Most candidates are between 40 and 49 years old, with ages ranging from 24 to 66.
Several constituencies are drawing close scrutiny. In Tanjung Bidara, a BN bastion, incumbent Melaka Chief Minister Ab Rauf Yusof is locked in a straight fight against PH’s Mohd Yunazri Mustamiri. Ab Rauf, who assumed the chief minister role in March 2023, won this seat narrowly in 2021 by just 364 votes. This contest will provide insight into both his and BN’s current voter appeal.
Another important race is in Merlimau, where UMNO Youth chief Akmal Sahar, a prominent and outspoken BN figure, seeks to retain his seat against PH’s Ayu Hamzah. Akmal secured a strong majority of 3,248 votes in 2021 amid a three-cornered contest and remains a focal point for assessing BN’s grassroots strength.
In Bukit Katil, former Melaka chief minister and PH component Amanah’s Adly Zahari seeks a third term in a four-way contest against PAS’s Muhammad Ridzuan Mohd Sarif, Parti Bersama Malaysia’s Aliza Che Amran, and independent candidate Abu Bakar Sabudin. Adly won this seat in both 2018 and 2021, with a 1,087-vote margin last time.
Parti Bersama Malaysia, led by former minister Rafizi Ramli, is entering the Melaka election after opting not to contest Negeri Sembilan in August. Despite failing to win any seats in the Johor state election, the party’s decision to field candidates in more than half of Melaka’s constituencies adds an additional variable in what is expected to be a competitive race.
Melaka’s 687,697 registered voters will cast their ballots on November 14, with early voting scheduled for November 10. The results will not only determine the state’s political leadership but also offer clues about voter sentiment amid Malaysia’s evolving political alliances.