Crowds expected as state polls draw near
MELAKA: Political parties are expecting the upcoming 16th Melaka election to see a crowded field, even as they anticipate the state legislative assembly to be dissolved as early as this Wednesday.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh, who is also Melaka Barisan Nasional chairman, said on Sept 16 that the “dissolution is awaiting one more Friday”, though he continued to remain coy during a public event last Friday.
Melaka Gerakan chairman Datuk Seri Michael Gan Peng Lam agreed that the dissolution could take place as early as next week.
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“We are prepared and awaiting an announcement from the Perikatan Nasional leadership on the number of seats Gerakan will be allocated to contest,” he said in an interview yesterday.
Political parties have already made preparations on how they will tackle the 28 state seats amid mounting speculation that three or four-cornered fights could be the norm this round as smaller parties and independent candidates are expected to join the fray.
Gan said multi-cornered contests are highly likely, particularly with Parti Bersama indicating that it planned to contest 15 constituencies.
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“This does not include independent candidates, who could also enter the fray as we witnessed during the 2021 Melaka state election,” he said.
Melaka DAP organising secretary Low Chee Leong said the party’s election machinery is in place and ready to be activated as soon as the dissolution.
“We are ready to move once the announcement is made,” Low said, adding that Melaka DAP chairman Khoo Poay Tiong had proposed eight seats.
Melaka PKR strategy director Mohd Radzmin Roslan said the party was similarly preparing for the possibility of the assembly being dissolved on Wednesday.
“We have also been told that the dissolution could take place on Sept 23.
“We are prepared for every scenario and expect this to be a very tough election,” he said, adding that PKR is expected to contest 10 seats.
Earlier, Melaka Pakatan Harapan chairman Adly Zahari said the coalition was finalising negotiations with parties sharing similar aspirations, including Bersatu, over the formation of a “PH Plus” electoral pact.
He said the negotiations were being conducted based on decisions reached by the Pakatan presidential council.
“The discussions include Bersatu, but any form of cooperation will only be announced after the negotiations have been completed,” he said.
Adly, who is also Deputy Defence Minister, said the distribution of seats among PKR, Amanah and DAP had been finalised, with Amanah allocated eight.
The term of the current state government, which came into power following the 15th state election on Nov 20, 2021, ends this Dec 26.
