Credit : Bernama
KAJANG, November 1, 2026 – Pakatan Harapan (PH) will name Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari as its candidate for Chief Minister if the coalition succeeds in forming the state government after the 16th Melaka state election on November 14, PH election director Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said, Bernama reported.
Amirudin said Adly, a former Melaka Chief Minister, was the best candidate to lead the state administration, according to Bernama.
“Adly is the best candidate (for Chief Minister), along with a few others, but so far Adly is the consensus to be named as the Chief Minister candidate if we get a majority or are given the trust,” he said.
Amirudin, who is also the Selangor Menteri Besar and a PKR vice-president, was speaking to reporters after Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim officiated at the closing of the 2026 National Hawkers and Small Traders Day (HPPK) Carnival in Kajang on Sunday.
He said that, judging by the situation after nominations closed on Saturday, PH was confident it could give its rivals a tough fight in the state election. The statement reflects PH’s own assessment of its chances; the Bernama report did not carry responses from rival coalitions.
Four-cornered fight in Bukit Katil
Adly, who is also a vice-president of Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah), is defending the Bukit Katil state seat. He faces a four-cornered contest against Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate Ridzuan Sarif, Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama) candidate Dr Aliza Che Amran and independent candidate Abu Bakar Sabudin, according to Bernama.
In the 15th Melaka state election, Adly won Bukit Katil with a majority of 1,057 votes, defeating three other candidates: Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Datuk Hasnoor Sdg Husin, PN’s Muhammad Al Afiz Yahya and independent Abdul Hamid, Bernama reported.
Earlier on Sunday, Adly said PH rejected claims that the state election was a waste, and that the coalition would leave it to its supporters to decide how to vote in seats where PH is not fielding candidates, Bernama reported.
Rival line-ups
The announcement comes a day after BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said BN would propose that incumbent Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh stay on in the post if BN wins, as LNA reported on Saturday. Ab Rauf is BN’s candidate for the Tanjung Bidara seat, where he faces PH’s Mohd Yunazri.
Who becomes Chief Minister after the polls depends on which side can command a majority in the 28-seat State Legislative Assembly once the results are known.
Key dates
The Election Commission (SPR) has fixed November 10 for early voting and November 14 as polling day. A total of 79 candidates are contesting the 28 state seats over a 14-day campaign, with 687,697 registered voters, according to the SPR. The full list of candidates for each seat is available on the SPR’s election dashboard.
Credit : Bernama
About The Author
