KUALA LUMPUR: The dissolution of the Melaka legislative assembly will be “not too long” from now as the end of its term is fast approaching, says Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh (pic).
The Chief Minister and state Barisan Nasional chairman said the coalition and Umno have been preparing for the state election for the past two years.
“We are just waiting for the right time to draw the curtain,” he said when met on the sidelines of the Umno General Assembly.
When asked when he planned to make the announcement, Ab Rauf was coy.
“When the time comes, I will announce it. It will not take too long, but it will not be so soon either,” he said.
Recently, Ab Rauf had said there were two more Fridays before the state assembly is dissolved.
All eyes are also now on Sept 19 as speculation mounts that the state assembly could be dissolved after the final leg of a state-wide programme.
Melaka last held its polls on Nov 20, 2021, with Barisan Nasional securing 21 of the 28 seats in the assembly, while Pakatan Harapan won five seats and Perikatan Nasional took two.
On cooperation with other parties for the state election, Ab Rauf said Melaka Umno would follow the leadership’s direction and leave it to the people to choose who they think would be the best strategic partner for the state government.
He also said Melaka Umno would defend all 21 seats it won in the last polls, and would not compromise on the seats should it cooperate with other parties.
“This (to compete) is the respective parties’ right. But we won those 21 seats, so we cannot compromise on sharing these seats with others.
“We will contest the seats we currently hold. As for the other seven seats, the parties that won them should contest and defend their respective seats. We will defend the seats that we won,” he added.
