MELAKA: Barisan Nasional is deploying senior executive councillor Datuk Rais Yasin to reclaim Sungai Udang, a military-heavy constituency the coalition narrowly lost by 530 votes in the 2021 state election.
Melaka Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh confirmed that Rais will shift from his current seat of Paya Rumput, calling him the most suitable candidate to spearhead the effort.
"Barisan has continued serving Sungai Udang constituents, including attending to the needs of military personnel, despite losing the seat in 2021," Ab Rauf told The Star on Sunday (Oct 4).
Rais, the Tangga Batu Umno division chief and caretaker state housing, local government, drainage, climate change, and disaster management committee chairman, currently serves as Barisan’s Sungai Udang coordinator.
Ab Rauf added that Barisan will make way in Paya Rumput for a partner party once an electoral pact for the upcoming state election is finalised. PKR’s Datuk Azman Abidin—the Prime Minister’s political secretary—is reportedly tipped to contest Paya Rumput for Pakatan Harapan.
Sungai Udang was one of just two seats won by Perikatan Nasional in 2021 when Barisan secured a two-thirds majority with 21 of the 28 state seats. Bersatu’s Dr Mohd Aleef Yusof won the seat in a four-cornered fight with 6,789 votes, defeating Barisan’s Mohamad Ali Mohamad (6,259 votes).
The shift ends weeks of speculation over Rais's candidacy. In 2021, Rais won Paya Rumput by a thin 629-vote majority against four contenders, including Pakatan’s Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin.
The Election Commission will convene a special meeting on Oct 7 to set nomination and polling dates following the dissolution of the Melaka State Legislative Assembly on Sept 23.
