SIX UMNO divisions in Melaka have been asked to submit three potential candidates each, including incumbent assemblymen, as the party begins its selection process for the upcoming state election.
Melaka UMNO liaison chairman Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said the names would be scrutinised before any decision was made on candidates for the 21 state seats held by Barisan Nasional (BN).
He said the party had already gathered names for consideration but was in no hurry to finalise its candidates as there was still time before nomination day.
“There are no candidates yet. I have just asked the division chiefs to submit names of potential candidates for further consideration. So, nothing has been decided yet. There is still plenty of time.
“So far, discussions on the candidates are still at an early stage,” he said after chairing the state UMNO liaison committee meeting at Seri Bendahara in Melaka last night.
Ab Rauf said UMNO was instead focusing on preparations by its election machinery at all levels to ensure the party was ready for the state election.
He said machinery in every division had been instructed to prepare and would be launched before nomination day.
He added that UMNO was not taking lightly the expected participation of other parties in the contest for all 28 state seats and was prepared for various possibilities.
“UMNO is always prepared for every eventuality. We will certainly focus on our strengths to retain the 21 seats that we won previously,” he said.
In the 2021 Melaka state election, BN won 21 of the 28 seats, while Pakatan Harapan (PH) won five and Perikatan Nasional (PN) two.
On BN's negotiations with political parties over potential strategic partners for the Melaka election, Ab Rauf said discussions were still ongoing but had been postponed to a more suitable date.
He said no new date had been agreed, but negotiations remained open to any party interested in talks with BN Melaka.
He added that UMNO secretary-general Datuk Seri Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki had also issued an official invitation for any party interested to come forward for negotiations. - October 2, 2026
