MELAKA: As Johor and Negri Sembilan gear up for state elections, Melaka is staying firmly on its own political timetable, with Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh signalling that the dissolution of the state legislative assembly is not on the immediate horizon.
The Melaka Chief Minister said that the state government remained focused on governance and delivering on its commitments to the people, adding that several matters still needed to be addressed before any decision on dissolving the assembly could be made.
"We will continue carrying out our responsibilities and attending to the needs of the people until an official date is announced.
"We will also send our machinery to assist in the elections in Johor and Negri Sembilan.
"Once those elections are over, we will consider the most suitable timing," he said when met at his residence in Kampung Pulau in Masjid Tanah here on Friday (June 5).
Ab Rauf said Melaka's circumstances differed from those in Johor and Negri Sembilan, stressing that there was no urgency for the state to seek a fresh mandate.
With the current term only due to expire in December, he said the administration still had time to fulfil its plans and priorities before contemplating an election.
"As of today, I have yet to receive any inspiration on when it should be dissolved," he said.
Ab Rauf also rejected suggestions that he was under pressure from any quarters to call for an early election.
"I have my own considerations and arrangements that must be completed in accordance with the administration of the state government.
"We do not want to move according to the music played by others. We will not dance to their tune. Their rhythm is theirs; Melaka's rhythm is Melaka's," he said.
However, he stopped short of ruling out the possibility of Melaka eventually holding its election concurrently with other states.
"Politics is the art of a thousand and one possibilities. Whatever happens, wait and see," he said.
Melaka's current legislative term ends in December, with the next state election required to be held by February 2027 at the latest.
Barisan Nasional won 21 of the 28 seats contested in the 2021 Melaka election, while Pakatan Harapan secured the remaining seven.
