PKR’s Yunazri Mustamiri is taking on a familiar face in Tanjung Bidara, where incumbent assemblyman and Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh is seeking another term.
But the 36-year-old is convinced the contest is not beyond his reach.
The first-time election candidate, representing Pakatan Harapan (PH), admits the odds are stacked against him but believes a strong campaign over the next two weeks could give him a fighting chance of unseating Ab Rauf.
“On paper, it looks quite difficult, but it is not impossible,” he said after being nominated to contest the seat.
Yunazri is hoping the involvement of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also PKR president, and other party leaders will help strengthen PH’s campaign in the constituency.
He is also looking towards younger voters, who form a substantial part of Tanjung Bidara’s electorate, to help shift the balance.
Those aged between 18 and 29 make up 31.6% of voters in the constituency, followed by the 30-to-39 age group at 20.9%.
While acknowledging that Ab Rauf had done a good job serving the constituency, Yunazri believes the appeal of younger candidates should not be underestimated.
“The last general election showed a trend of support favouring younger candidates, even among voters who previously supported other parties,” he said.
Ab Rauf won Tanjung Bidara in the 2021 state election with a majority of just 364 votes. He is now defending the seat as BN seeks another mandate to govern Melaka.
BN chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi has also made clear that Ab Rauf will remain chief minister should the coalition retain power in the state election.
Ab Rauf, meanwhile, has a different view of what should determine a candidate’s suitability for the job, arguing that voters should place greater emphasis on experience and the ability to address problems at the local level.
He welcomed the entry of younger candidates into politics but said holding elected office required more than enthusiasm.
“I welcome young people to take part (in elections) so they can gain more experience. I’m not saying that they can’t (serve as assemblymen), but they need to have gained enough experience (to serve well),” he said. – October 31, 2026
