Chief Minister Mohd Ali Rustam said today that he was ready to contest a parliamentary seat in the 13th general election.

Confirming speculations that he would let go of the chief ministership which he has held since 1999, Mohd Ali said he had already expressed his intention to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

He told this to reporters after presenting the RM100 school assistance to students at SK Dato Palembang in Malacca today.

Mohd Ali replaced Abu Zahar Isnin as Malacca chief minister on Dec 2, 1999. Prior to that he served as deputy transport minister and deputy health minister.

On seat distribution in the state for the coming general election, he said the list of candidates had been agreed to by all the component parties in the Barisan Nasional (BN).

- Bernama