Umno Youth chief Akmal Saleh has hinted that he may leave Merlimau to contest another seat in the Melaka state election on Nov 14.
In a Facebook post, Akmal expressed gratitude to Merlimau voters for electing him in the 2021 state polls, which gave him his first term in office.
Seeking new constituency
“Where to next? Would it be feasible for me to go to Serkam or Sungai Rambai? Or are there other suggestions?” he said.
Sungai Rambai and Serkam are Umno strongholds that have never left the party’s grasp, although Barisan Nasional retained the latter with a very slim majority in 2021.
BN won Serkam in a four-cornered race, beating the Perikatan Nasional candidate by 79 votes while the Pakatan Harapan and independent candidates trailed far behind.
Track record in Merlimau
Akmal was elected Merlimau assemblyman in 2021 with a majority of 3,248 votes, retaining the Umno stronghold for BN.
The Umno firebrand was later appointed a member of the state executive council, overseeing health, before he was moved to the rural development, agriculture and food security portfolios in 2023.
Rise in party ranks
Akmal was also elected Umno Youth chief in 2023, defeating three contenders for the post.
