MELAKA: Barisan Nasional has unveiled eight new faces for the Melaka polls, including the son of Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Dr Mohd Ali Rustam.
Hang Tuah Jaya Umno division chief Datuk Mohd Ridhwan Mohd Ali will contest Ayer Molek, while caretaker Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh will defend Tanjung Bidara.
Ab Rauf, who is also Melaka Barisan chairman, announced the coalition's candidates for 21 state seats before a packed hall at the Melaka International Trade Centre in Ayer Keroh on Saturday (Oct 24).
Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and other coalition leaders were also present.
The eight new candidates will contest Lendu, Rembia, Gadek, Durian Tunggal, Pengkalan Batu, Ayer Molek, Serkam and Sungai Rambai.
They are Datuk Abdul Hakim Abdul Wahid (Lendu), Ahmad Norazril Abd Aziz (Rembia), S.Nadarajah Sellappa (Gadek), Datuk Mustafa Musa (Durian Tunggal), Siti Aisyah Mahmood (Pengkalan Batu), Mohd Ridhwan (Ayer Molek), Azman Abdullah (Serkam) and Jezlee Pit (Sungai Rambai).
Other candidates include Datuk Rais Yasin for Sungai Udang, moving from the Paya Rumput contituency.
The line-up also includes incumbents Datuk Rosli Abdullah (Kuala Linggi), Datuk Hameed Kunju Basheer Mythin (Ayer Limau), Datuk Zulkifli Md Zin (Taboh Naning) and Ngwe Hee Sem (Machap Jaya).
The remaining candidates are Datuk Noor Helmy Abdul Halem (Duyong), Datuk Abdul Razak Abdul Rahman (Telok Mas), Datuk Khaidirah Abu Zahar (Rim) and Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh (Merlimau).
Earlier, Ahmad Zahid warned the coalition's election machinery against complacency, saying Barisan's successes in Negri Sembilan and Johor offered no guarantee of victory in Melaka.
"Our success in Negri Sembilan and Johor cannot be seen as an automatic ticket for us to easily win the Melaka polls.
"We need to serve constituents and showcase the development brought by Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh," he said.
Calling for close cooperation with PAS during the election, he told Barisan's machinery not to be "allergic to green", a reference to the party's colour.
He also urged campaign workers to counter allegations made against the coalition by cybertroopers.
