Barisan Nasional (BN) has yet to finalize its list of candidates for the upcoming Melaka state election, according to the coalition’s state chairman, Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh. He assured that the official candidate announcement will be made before nomination day.

Speaking to reporters at an event on Friday, Ab Rauf declined to confirm potential contenders, saying the public would need to wait until the formal nomination process to learn who will be contesting under the BN banner. Speculation continues regarding the candidacy of senior executive councillor Datuk Rais Yasin, who may shift from defending his Paya Rumput seat to contesting in the Sungai Udang constituency.

Sungai Udang, known for its substantial military population estimated at around 15,000 personnel, is currently held by Perikatan Nasional’s Dr Mohd Aleef Yusof. During a recent appearance in Sungai Udang, Ab Rauf appeared to endorse Rais as a suitable candidate for the area, highlighting Rais’s leadership qualities in relation to the military community. Rais had previously secured Paya Rumput in the 2021 state election with a narrow majority of 629 votes against multiple challengers, including Pakatan Harapan’s Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin.

Rumors also indicate BN might introduce new candidates in several other constituencies as part of its election strategy, although specific names have yet to be disclosed.

In his remarks, Ab Rauf, who is serving as the caretaker Chief Minister, highlighted ongoing state government initiatives under the Melaka Sayang Rakyat (MeSRa) programme. Since its launch, MeSRa has allocated over RM196 million to support school infrastructure, education assistance spanning from early childhood to university levels, and human capital development initiatives. These efforts have reportedly benefited more than 140,000 students to date, reflecting the government’s focus on fostering educational progress and youth welfare in Melaka.