MELAKA: Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh looks set to give up his Merlimau state seat, allowing a PAS candidate to contest there.
The Islamist party’s Melaka commissioner, Zulkifli Ismail is likely to stand in Merlimau while Dr Muhamad Akmal moves to a different seat.
“Yes, it’s true Ustaz Tuan Zulkifli is the candidate for Merlimau,” a PAS insider said, claiming Barisan Nasional has agreed to the deal.
Zulkifli is currently the MP for Jasin parliamentary constituency, under which Merlimau is.
“Wait for Oct 31 for nomination,” the insider said yesterday.
Asked whether Dr Muhamad Akmal had agreed, he replied: “Yes”.
The claim comes a day after Dr Muhamad Akmal hinted at leaving Merlimau, naming Serkam and Sungai Rambai as possible constituencies to contest.
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, he thanked Merlimau voters before asking where he should contest next.
So far, no political pact has been officially signed between Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional, although initial talks and an agreement in principle have been discussed,
Dr Muhamad Akmal won Merlimau in the 2021 Melaka state election with 5,633 votes, defeating Pakatan Harapan candidate Azrin Ab Majid, who received 2,385 votes, and Perikatan Nasional candidate Abd Alim Shapie, who garnered 1,622 votes.
The Election Commission has fixed Nov 14 as polling day for the Melaka state election, with nominations on Oct 31 and early voting on Nov 10.
