Credit : NSTP/Asyraf Hamzah
MELAKA, November 7, 2026 – Melaka Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ab Rauf Yusoh says cooperation between BN and Perikatan Nasional (PN) in the 16th Melaka State Election could spring a surprise in Kesidang, a seat held by Pakatan Harapan (PH).
Ab Rauf, who is also caretaker Chief Minister, said the consolidation of support among members and supporters of the two coalitions under what he called the Muafakat Melaka spirit signalled a major shift in the country’s political landscape.
“If we reclaim Kesidang under Muafakat Melaka, as I said earlier, it will mark a significant change.
“If we succeed in winning the Kesidang seat, it will send a strong signal that the political movement in Melaka will pave the way for a better journey towards Putrajaya,” he told reporters after visiting the Kesidang seat operations room in Malim Jaya, the New Straits Times reported.
Also present was PN’s candidate for Kesidang, Albert Kok, who is also Kota Melaka Wawasan division deputy chief.
Machinery after one week
Ab Rauf said he was satisfied with the campaign efforts of both coalitions’ machinery after a week on the campaign trail, saying they had shown their commitment to the Muafakat Melaka spirit.
“I can see that the campaign machinery at all levels, from both PN and BN, has been working together and demonstrating that this cooperation is solid. I am very satisfied,” he said.
“As I have said before, the people of Melaka are like those observing Ramadan. They eagerly await the moment to break their fast.
“Just wait until the time comes. When the Maghrib azan is sounded, we will see how they (the voters) cast their votes,” he said.
Three-cornered fight
Kesidang is a three-cornered contest. Kok, carrying the PN ticket with BN’s backing, is taking on incumbent DAP assemblyman Allex Seah Shoo Chin of PH and Bersama candidate Dr Bryan Kek Kit Hun.
In the 2021 state election, Seah won the seat with a majority of 10,237 votes after polling 14,769 votes.
Based on the EC’s list of candidates, BN and PN are not facing each other in any of the 28 seats. Kesidang is one of four seats where PN candidates face PH.
PH, which is contesting 24 seats, has said it is targeting 18. DAP, a PH component, is contesting seven seats, including Kesidang.
Crucial weekend
Political analyst Dr Liew Wui Chern told The Star that the weekend before early voting was critical, as parties expected voters to have more time for campaign activities, with Deepavali falling on November 8.
“At this stage, parties already know roughly where they are competitive, so resources will increasingly be directed on marginal seats and voters who are not fully committed,” he said.
The contest
A total of 79 candidates are contesting all 28 seats in the Melaka State Legislative Assembly, and a party or coalition needs 15 seats for a simple majority. In 2021, BN won 21 seats, PH five and PN two.
The Election Commission has fixed November 14, 2026, as polling day, with early voting on November 10. The official campaign period ends at 11.59pm on November 13.
Sources: New Straits Times; Bernama; Election Commission candidate list.
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