Credit : Bernama
ALOR GAJAH, October 31, 2026 – Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate Mohd Yunazri Mustamiri says contesting as the “underdog” against Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ab Rauf Yusoh in Tanjung Bidara has not dampened his hopes of pulling off a surprise in the 16th Melaka state election, Bernama reported.
The national news agency reported on X that the first-time PH candidate is aiming to unseat the incumbent in the N02 Tanjung Bidara state seat, which is held by Ab Rauf, the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate.
Yunazri, who is the pro-tem secretary of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) Masjid Tanah, said he was optimistic and would do his best, including mobilising the party’s entire election machinery to win a seat that many regard as a BN stronghold, Bernama reported.
“On paper (our chances) look rather difficult, but it is not something impossible for us. The contest is still balanced. What we need to do is work hard in this election and celebrate democracy for the Tanjung Bidara seat,” he said.
“Alhamdulillah, in terms of preparations, the machinery remains firmly with me. Insya-Allah, we are not afraid to fight, and with the support of the PKR President (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim), the hopes and the party leadership, our spirit is even stronger to campaign in Tanjung Bidara,” he added.
First time on the ballot
Yunazri, who is making his debut as an election candidate, spoke to reporters after he was announced as PH’s candidate for Tanjung Bidara at the nomination centre at Dewan Datuk Kapt (B) Hj Ab Karim, Kompleks Japerun Tanjung Bidara, in Alor Gajah, Bernama said.
The 36-year-old automotive manufacturing engineer is up against Ab Rauf, who won the seat in the 15th Melaka state election in a three-cornered fight with a majority of 364 votes, the agency reported. The SPR’s official candidate list shows the seat as a straight fight between the two men.
Banking on young voters
Asked what he was offering Tanjung Bidara voters, Yunazri said he did not rule out that being a young candidate could give him some advantage.
“Based on the last election results, most young voters supported (PH)… they did not support the current party (BN). So I think there is potential to win, insya-Allah,” he said.
He said that if voters gave him the mandate, his main focus would be developing young people and bringing policies that had benefited the people at federal level to the constituency.
“We will also strengthen initiatives and programmes under the Kampung Digital (Digital Village) scope, and make sure local people are given up to 30 per cent of the chance to take part in local authority projects,” he said.
Earlier today, BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who accompanied Ab Rauf to the same nomination centre, said BN would propose Ab Rauf to remain as Chief Minister if it wins, subject to the powers of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri, Bernama reported.
The SPR has fixed November 10 for early voting and November 14 as polling day.
Credit : Bernama
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