MELAKA: Barisan Nasional has unveiled eight new contenders for the Melaka polls in a candidate shake-up as the coalition seeks a fresh mandate.
One of them is Datuk Mohd Ridhwan Mohd Ali, who is the son of Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Dr Mohd Ali Rustam.
Mohd Ridhwan, who is Hang Tuah Jaya Umno division chief, will the contest Ayer Molek seat.
The other seats which will feature new candidates 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), Azman Abdullah (Serkam) and Jezlee Pit (in Sungai Rambai).
Caretaker Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh will defend his Tanjung Bidara seat.
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 last night.
Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and other coalition leaders were also present.
Among the other candidates is Datuk Rais Yasin, who has been named for the Sungai Udang seat, moving from Paya Rumput constituency.
The line-up also includes incumbents Datuk Rosli Abdullah for Kuala Linggi, Datuk Hameed Kunju Basheer Mythin (Ayer Limau), Datuk Zulkifli Md Zin (Taboh Naning) and Ngwe Hee Sem (Machap Jaya).
Datuk Fairul Nizam Roslan will contest is Asahan, Datuk Tuminah Kadi @ Mohd Hasim will stand in Pantai Kundor and Datuk Lim Ban Hong will go for Klebang.
The remaining candidates are Datuk Noor Helmy Abdul Halem for 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 triumphs 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.
He said Melaka’s steady development and tourism growth under Ab Rauf’s leadership could be a factor in wooing voters.
Ahmad Zahid urged those not selected as candidates to remain committed to the coalition’s campaign.
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 urged party workers to close ranks and strengthen their engagement with voters, saying their priority should be serving the grassroots effectively.
However, he also noted that young voters aspired to better salaries.
