[UPDATED] Rafiq Naizamohideen resigns as Melaka Perikatan, Bersatu chief

KUALA LUMPUR – Following his failure to wrest Telok Mas in Melaka last Saturday, Datuk Mohd Rafiq Naizamohideen is resigning as state Perikatan Nasional (PN) and Bersatu chief.

Rafiq was the Paya Rumput incumbent after winning the state seat in 2018. In this year’s snap state election, he was running for Telok Mas in a four-cornered fight.

In a brief statement on Facebook, Rafiq said his resignation letter will be submitted to PN and Bersatu chief Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin tomorrow.

“With my resignation, I hope it will make way for new faces to lead Melaka Bersatu and the state PN to prepare for the 15th general election. 

“This resignation is also to enable me to focus on strengthening the position and the support of the people for Tangga Batu PN and Bersatu, as well as my responsibilities as Bersatu vice-president, ahead of GE15.

“I hope and pray that the people of Melaka and Malaysians can continue to support PN led by Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and I hope PN will achieve success in the upcoming GE15.”

Last Saturday, Rafiq garnered 3,976 votes (28.25%) while Barisan Nasional-Umno’s Datuk Abdul Razak Abdul Rahman won with a 2,076 majority with 6,052 votes (43.01%). Meanwhile, Pakatan Harapan-Amanah’s Asyraf Mukhlis Minghat had 3,891 votes (27.65%) and independent Muhammad Ariff Adly Mohammad got 153 votes.

In 2018, Rafiq won Paya Rumput with a 4,259 majority against Umno’s Datuk Abu Bakar Mohamad Diah and PAS’ Rafie Ahmad. – The Vibes, November 26, 2021