Credit : BERNAMA
MELAKA October 24, 2026 — Pakatan Harapan (PH) will contest 21 of the 28 seats in the 16th Melaka state election, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced on Saturday night (October 24), as the coalition unveiled its line-up three weeks before polling day.
The announcement was carried by Bernama Radio, which posted on X that PH would be contesting 21 seats in the Melaka polls, citing Anwar. The post was later shared by the Prime Minister on his own X account.
https://x.com/Bernama_Radio/status/2114006161175548137
Candidates unveiled at Stadium Hang Jebat
Anwar, who is PH chairman, named the candidates at the coalition’s candidate announcement and Melaka election machinery launch in the grounds of Stadium Hang Jebat in Krubong, Bernama reported. Under the seat allocation, PKR will contest nine seats, DAP seven and Amanah five, according to RTM and Utusan Malaysia.
In his speech, Anwar said every candidate represented the spirit of PH’s struggle and that their victory would ultimately rest in the hands of voters. “God willing, the people of Melaka will rise and show that there must be change in Melaka for a clearer future,” he said, as quoted by Bernama, adding that he hoped Melaka voters would show an extraordinary spirit to bring change for the sake of their children, parents and families.
Adly Zahari to defend Bukit Katil
Former chief minister Adly Zahari, who is Melaka PH chairman, an Amanah vice-president and Deputy Defence Minister, will defend his Bukit Katil seat. Free Malaysia Today (FMT) reported that Anwar praised Adly in his speech as a former chief minister who had proven his capability. Adly is one of five incumbents defending their seats, alongside DAP’s Kerk Chee Yee (Ayer Keroh), Allex Seah Shoo Chin (Kesidang), Low Chee Leong (Kota Laksamana) and Leng Chau Yen (Bandar Hilir), the New Straits Times reported.
Other names on the list include Anwar’s political secretary Datuk Azman Abidin, who will contest Paya Rumput, and Melaka Amanah chairman Datuk Ashraf Mukhlis Minghat in Durian Tunggal. Former Machap Jaya assemblywoman Datuk Ginie Lim Siew Lin returns to contest the same seat, while Angkatan Muda Keadilan (AMK) Tangga Batu division chief Farzana Hayani Mohd Nasir has been named for Klebang.
Head-to-head with BN in 15 seats
Barisan Nasional (BN), PH’s partner in the federal unity government, unveiled its own 21 candidates on the same night at the Melaka International Trade Centre in Ayer Keroh. The two coalitions will face each other in 15 seats, the New Straits Times reported, including Tanjung Bidara, where caretaker Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh will face PH’s Mohd Yunazri Mustamiri, and Merlimau, where Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh will be challenged by Amanah’s Rahayu Hamzah. Ab Rauf told reporters that BN’s remaining seven seats had been left to its strategic partners.
PH is not fielding candidates in seven seats, including Bemban. FMT reported that this comes amid speculation of a possible electoral understanding with Bersatu, although Melaka PH has maintained that it will contest the election on its own.
Key dates
The Melaka state assembly was dissolved on September 23. The Election Commission (SPR) has fixed nomination day for October 31, early voting for November 10 and polling for November 14, with a 14-day campaign period. A total of 687,697 voters are eligible to cast their ballots, according to the commission.
In the 2021 state election, BN won 21 of the 28 seats, PH took five and Perikatan Nasional won two.
Source : BERNAMA Radio’s X (https://x.com/Bernama_Radio/status/2114006161175548137), as retweeted by Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s X, with additional reporting from Bernama, RTM, Utusan Malaysia, FMT, the New Straits Times, The Star and the Election Commission (SPR).
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