[UPDATED] Melaka polls: Idris, Nor Azman gunning for seats under Pakatan

KUALA LUMPUR – It is official. Former Umno veteran and incumbent Sg Udang rep Datuk Seri Idris Haron will be running for the Asahan seat as part of PKR’s 11-seat allocation.

This was announced today in a press conference by Pakatan Harapan (PH) leadership, ahead of nomination day on Monday.

Meanwhile, Pantai Kundor incumbent Datuk Nor Azman Hassan will defend his seat under the PH banner as part of Amanah’s nine-seat allocation.

“As far as they (both candidates) are concerned they have joined (PKR and Amanah). And now the important thing is to make sure they represent Pakatan Harapan,” said PH chairman Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He then hinted at former chief minister and Bukit Katil incumbent Adly Zahari returning to helm the state.

Our decision is to announce that Adly is leading the force in the election. We have not officially announced (his candidacy as chief minister) as a council, but I think that is the general idea now.

“I think this will go on in the next few days if necessary. But it will be Adly who leads the charge, other than the national leaders.”

Anwar noted that Pakatan Harapan is contesting as a team, something not done among parties from the federal and state governments.

“This is a strength that is reasonable enough to convince the people (to vote for PH). If political stability is desired, it is only available and offered by Pakatan Harapan.”

However, Anwar said political stability cannot come through corruption and abuse of power.

“As carried out by Adly as the previous chief minister, we are able to list out, articulate, and inform the people on what has been done, based on the principles of good governance.

“This is our promise that we have expressed, and God willing, it will be spread in Pakatan Harapan’s manifesto, which will be distributed soon.”

Meanwhile, PKR information chief Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin will not be defending his Hang Tuah Jaya seat, and instead will contest for Paya Rumput – a seat won by Bersatu in 2018.

Other than the four incumbent assemblymen, the politicians who defending their seats include Saminathan Ganesan (Gadek-DAP), Datuk Mohd Sofi Wahab (Durian Tunggal-Amanah), Datuk Nor Azman Hassan (Pantai Kundor-Amanah), Datuk Gue Teck (Kelebang-PKR), Allex Seah Shoo Chin (Kesidang-DAP), Low Chee Leong (Kota Laksamana-DAP), and Damian Yeo Shen Li (Duyong-DAP).

Meanwhile, Bandar Hilir incumbent Tey Kok Kiew of DAP is not defending his seat but contesting for Bemban instead, while Amanah’s Ashraf Mukhlis Minghat has been fielded for the Telok Mas seat, which previously belonged to Datuk Noor Effandi Ahmad. Noor Effandi was formerly of Bersatu but was kicked out after becoming one of the “Melaka four” who pulled support for the Umno chief minister, triggering the polls.

Anwar had also announced several youth candidates, including Melaka PKR Youth chief Prasanth Kumar Brakasam (Rim) and Amanah Melaka Youth chief Muhammad Khomeini Kamal (Serkam).

Melaka Srikandi PKR chief Farzana Hayani Mohd Nasir, who is contesting for the Sg Rambai seat, is the youngest among all PH candidates at the age of 21.

The naming of PKR and Amanah candidates comes after DAP made a separate announcement yesterday.

DAP is betting on 25-year-old newbie Muhamad Danish Zainudin to wrest Pengkalan Batu from former party man and incumbent Datuk Norhizam Hassan Baktee.

Danish, aged 25, is DAP’s Pengkalan Batu rep coordinator and Melaka DAP Youth secretary.

DAP also fielded another newcomer – Leng Chau Yen, 37 – to contest in Bandar Hilir, while its incumbent Tey Kok Kiew will be running for Bemban.

Leng has been Melaka DAP publicity secretary since 2018 and Tey’s political secretary (2013-2021). Moreover, she is head of Kota Melaka DAP women’s wing.

Meanwhile, Bemban incumbent Wong Fort Pin is not in the running.

Five of its candidates will be looking to keep their seats – Saminathan Ganesan (Gadek), Kerk Chee Yee (Ayer Keroh), Allex Seah Shoo Chin (Kesidang), Low Chee Leong (Kota Laksamana), and Damian Yeo Shen Li (Duyong).

DAP has the lowest allocation of seats among its Pakatan Harapan allies. PKR is contesting in 11 seats, while Amanah is eyeing nine.

Here are the candidates under the PH banner:

N01 Kuala Linggi – Julasapiyah Kassim (Amanah)

N02 Tg Bidara – Zainal Hassan (PKR)

N03 Ayer Limau – Mazenah Baharuddin (Amanah)

N04 Lendu – Mohamad Asri Ibrahim (PKR)

N05 Taboh Naning – Zairi Suboh (Amanah)

N06 Rembia – Zamri Pakiri (PKR)

N07 Gadek – Saminathan Ganesan (DAP)

N08 Machap Jaya – Law Bing Haw (PKR)

N09 Durian Tunggal – Datuk Mohd Sofi Wahab (Amanah)

N10 Asahan – Datuk Seri Idris Haron (PKR)

N11 Sg Udang – Hasmorni Tamby (PKR)

N12 Pantai Kundor – Datuk Nor Azman Hassan (Amanah)

N13 Paya Rumput – Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin (PKR)

N14 Kelebang – Datuk Gue Teck (PKR)

N16 Ayer Keroh – Kerk Chee Yee (DAP)

N17 Bukit Katil – Adly Zahari (Amanah)

N18 Ayer Molek – Mohd Rafee Ibrahim (PKR)

N19 Kesidang – Allex Seah Shoo Chin (DAP)

N20 Kota Laksamana – Low Chee Leong (DAP)

N21 Duyong – Damian Yeo Shen Li (DAP)

N22 Bandar Hilir – Leng Chau Yen (DAP)

N23 Telok Mas – Ashraf Mukhlis Minghat (Amanah)

N24 Bemban – Tey Kok Kiew (DAP)

N25 Rim – Prasanth Kumar Brakasam (PKR)

N26 Serkam – Muhammad Khomeini Kamal (Amanah)

N27 Merlimau – Azrin Ab Majid (Amanah)

N28 Sg Rambai – Farzana Hayani Mohd Nasir (PKR) – The Vibes, November 6, 2021