BARISAN Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi will recommend Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh for another term as Melaka Chief Minister if the coalition wins the Nov 14 state election.
Zahid said he would put forward Ab Rauf’s name, although the appointment would ultimately be at the discretion of Melaka Yang Dipertua Negeri Tun Dr Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam.
“As BN chairman, I will recommend Ab Rauf to continue serving in Melaka, but we will not pre-empt the powers of the Yang Dipertua Negeri.
“First, we must return the mandate to the people of Melaka. I hope their support will enable us to form the state government with our strategic partners,” he told reporters.
He was speaking after accompanying Ab Rauf to the nomination centre for the Tanjung Bidara state seat at Dewan Datuk Kapten (B) Haji Ab Karim, Kompleks Japerun Tanjung Bidara, in Alor Gajah today.
Zahid also urged voters to assess the state government’s performance under Ab Rauf before making their choice, while cautioning against a campaign marred by slander and personal attacks.
“We do not want the campaign to be tainted by slander or other improper tactics. I expect the campaign in Melaka to remain relatively calm,” he said.
On seat allocations, Zahid confirmed that BN and its strategic partners in Perikatan Nasional (PN) would contest all 28 state seats.
Umno will contest 18 seats, MCA four and MIC one, while the remaining seats have been allocated to PN parties.
He also dismissed speculation that MCA might boycott the election or express dissatisfaction over the seat distribution, pointing out that the party had accepted its allocation.
“Some had expected MCA to boycott the Melaka election or, at the very least, be unhappy with the arrangement. But that has not happened. Instead, MCA has been given four seats,” he said. - October 31, 2026
