Credit : Bernama
MASJID TANAH, October 31, 2026 – Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh will defend his Tanjung Bidara seat against Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate Mohd Yunazri Mustamiri in the 16th Melaka state election, after both men handed in their nomination papers this morning, Bernama reported.
The news agency reported on X that the Chief Minister, who is also the Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman for Melaka, was being challenged by the PH candidate for the N02 Tanjung Bidara state seat, one of the 28 seats in the Melaka State Legislative Assembly.
Accompanied by Ahmad Zahid
Ab Rauf was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and BN chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to the nomination centre at Dewan Datuk Kapt (B) Hj Ab Karim in the JAPERUN Tanjung Bidara complex, where he submitted his nomination papers, according to pictures shared by Bernama.
Bernama, as carried by Sinar Harian, reported that Ab Rauf arrived at about 9 am with BN supporters. Astro Awani reported that thousands of BN supporters had begun gathering from about 7.30 am to back the incumbent.
Mohd Yunazri, a 36-year-old first-time candidate, was accompanied by PH supporters led by Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) vice-president Datuk Chang Lih Kang, according to Bernama. Harian Metro reported that he arrived at the centre at 8.20 am and entered it at 9.06 am.
A seat won by 364 votes in 2021
In the 2021 Melaka state election, Ab Rauf won Tanjung Bidara in a three-cornered contest, defeating PH’s Zainal Hassan and Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin with a majority of 364 votes, Bernama reported. Harian Metro said he polled 3,559 votes in that contest. Astro Awani reported that the seat has 15,003 registered voters for this election.
Ab Rauf was sworn in as Melaka’s 13th Chief Minister on March 31, 2023, Bernama reported at the time, succeeding Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali.
Line-ups before nomination
BN named Ab Rauf to defend Tanjung Bidara when it announced its candidates on October 24, Bernama reported, alongside UMNO Youth chief Datuk Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh in Merlimau and Datuk Mohd Noor Helmy Abdul Halem in Duyong.
Mohd Yunazri is one of seven new faces fielded by PKR in the election, Bernama reported on October 25. PKR’s acting Melaka chief Adam Adli Abd Halim said then that the party had to work hard to win voters’ support for its reform agenda at state level.
The candidate lists announced before nomination day by PN, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) and Parti Bersama Malaysia did not include Tanjung Bidara, based on the line-ups reported by RTM and Utusan Malaysia. The final contest for each seat is confirmed by the returning officers on nomination day.
Across the state, five coalitions and parties had named a total of 75 candidates before nomination day, Bernama reported on October 30, with PH listing 24 seats, BN 22, Parti Bersama Malaysia 16, Bersatu eight and PN five. Tanjung Bidara is among the seats where the Chief Minister’s own result will be closely followed, as it is the seat of the head of the outgoing state government.
The Election Commission (SPR) has fixed November 10 for early voting and November 14 as polling day, with a 14-day campaign that began after nomination closed today.
Credit : Bernama
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