MELAKA: Eight of Barisan Nasional's 21 candidates are new faces but no incumbent assemblyman from the line-up for the Melaka polls, says Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh.
"We did not drop anyone. The assembly was dissolved so we picked new candidates who can carry on serving," the caretaker Chief Minister told a press conference after the line-up was unveiled at the Melaka International Trade Centre in Ayer Keroh on Saturday (Oct 24) night.
"Some did not want to carry on. We felt we should give room to new faces in areas where we had done our studies," said Ab Rauf, who is also Melaka Barisan chairman.
Among the newcomers are Datuk Mohd Ridhwan Mohd Ali, son of Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Dr Mohd Ali Rustam, who will contest in Ayer Molek.
Siti Aisah Mahmood will contest Pengkalan Batu and Datuk Azman Abdullah takes Serkam. Datuk Mustafa Musa is the new face in Durian Tunggal.
The other new faces are in Gadek (Nadarajah Sellappa), Sungai Rambai (Jezlee Pit) and a seat each in the Masjid Tanah and Alor Gajah parliamentary areas.
The changes mean Datuk Zaidi Attan (Serkam), Datuk Siti Faizah Abd Azis (Sungai Rambai) and deputy executive councillor Zahari Abd Khalil (Durian Tunggal) will not defend their seats.
Senior executive councillor Datuk Rais Yasin moves from Paya Rumput to Sungai Udang, which Perikatan Nasional won by 530 votes in 2021.
"I hope those picked will work harder so that on Nov 14 they can win the seats they are contesting," he said.
On the incumbents retained, he said they could carry on the work from the previous term.
On the campaign, Ab Rauf said Barisan would not resort to slander or the hate politics.
"Melakans do not need a culture of incitement, hatred and slander. We only need a healthy political culture," he said, adding that Barisan will launch its manifesto next week.
Barisan is contesting 21 of the 28 seats. Nomination is on Oct 31, with polling on Nov 14.
