Malacca CM announces dissolution of state assembly

Malacca Chief Minister Ab Rauf Yusoh has announced the dissolution of the state assembly effective tomorrow, paving the way for the state’s 16th election.

Speaking during a press conference at Kompleks Seri Negeri in Malacca, Rauf, who is the state Umno liaison chairperson, stressed that the caretaker government will continue to prioritise resident welfare.

“I wish to provide a clear guarantee to all Malaccans that the dissolution of the Malacca state assembly does not mean that government administrations will cease,” he said this afternoon.

He declined to comment on whether Umno will field any fresh faces or if BN has finalised any electoral pacts.

Rauf previously hinted at an early dissolution of the 28-seat legislature, which was scheduled to be automatically dissolved in December.

The next step is for the Election Commission to convene and determine key dates for the upcoming polls.

Assembly composition

The Malacca election is set to be a fierce contest, with BN, Pakatan Harapan, Perikatan Nasional, Bersatu, and Bersama expected to vie for seats across the state.

Previously, BN chairperson Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (below) said the coalition would defend all 21 seats it won in the last state election.

The Malacca state legislative assembly currently has 20 BN representatives, one fewer than the 21 seats it secured in the 2021 state election after Rembia assemblyperson Jailani Khamis defected to PAS.

The assembly also comprises five Harapan representatives, Malacca opposition leader Yadzil Yaakub, who was sacked by Bersatu, and Bersatu’s Dr Aleef Yusof.

Parties weighing alliances

Tensions between BN and Harapan’s partnership at the federal level have led to speculation over whether a decisive BN victory in the upcoming Malacca polls could catalyse calls for a snap general election.

After BN’s victory in the Negeri Sembilan polls, Rauf, who is the Malacca BN chief, expressed willingness to discuss Zahid’s hint of a continued pact with PN in Malacca, although he stressed that negotiations would not necessarily result in an agreement.

On Sunday, Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin said his party was open to forming electoral pacts with partners who share similar ideals.

This came after Malacca Harapan confirmed it was negotiating with Bersatu and other parties on possible cooperation for the state polls.

Meanwhile, Bersama will be fielding 15 party members in the state, including the brother of Umno Youth chief and Merlimau assemblyperson Dr Akmal Saleh.

Umno leaders call for early GE16 as Harapan rift deepens

PAS eyes ummah unity and Putrajaya, but road to federal power still bumpy

SNAPSHOT | Malacca polls '2 Fridays' away, teases CM; viral ECRL fares debunked

Loke: No need for early Parliament dissolution while Anwar has the numbers