CONTRARY to the expectations of political pundits, both Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Bersatu are not entirely friendly or holding hands into the Nov 14 Melaka state election after all.
This seems the case even though PH initially announced that will only be contesting in 21 out of the 28 seats.
The UMNO breakaway party announced candidates for eight constituencies last night and four will contest against PH in Kelebang, Gadek, Pengkalan Batu and Ayer Keroh.
Of the four, three will face off DAP in Gadek, Pengkalan Batu and Ayer Keroh. In Kelebang Bersatu will be contesting against PKR.
The Pengkalan Batu candidate that Bersatu is fielding is former DAP member – Norhizam Hassan Baktee, popularly known as “Hulk”. He is seeking a second term as a assemblyman
Bersatu that is estranged with its own alliance – Perikatan Nasional (PN) – would also be contesting against its allies in Ayer Keroh and Bemban.
Three other seats where Bersatu is fielding candidates are Lendu, Sungai Udang and Pantai Kundor.
This is the second state election that Bersatu would be going solo as it is estranged from PN. Bersatu lost all the seats in contested in Negeri Sembilan.
The confidence and supply agreement that the party signed at the federal level also did not ensure it would not clash with PH in Melaka.
PN’s seat allocation
PN which entered the Melaka state election in collaboration with BN announced candidates for five out of six seats it is contesting last night – Ayer Keroh, Bemban, Paya Rumput, Kesidang, and Bukit Katil.
Its chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar who is also the Terengganu Menteri Besar confirmed that the candidate for the sixth seat – mostly likely Kota Laksamana will be announced soon.
Of the five seats announced, PAS and WAWASAN would be contesting two seats and Gerakan will be contesting one seat.
The Malaysian Indian People’s Party (MIPP) decided to stay out of this election. Its party president P. Punithan claimed that the party is staying out to maintain dignity and represent the interests of the Indian community.
PN was initially offered seven seats in a deal with BN. The number was reduced by one as BN accommodated MCA with the Bandar Hilir seat.
Nomination is set to take place tomorrow. – Oct 30, 2026
Main image credit: Bernama
