PAS has officially announced its plan to contest 16 out of the 28 seats in the Melaka state election, which is anticipated to take place within this year.
Targeting Barisan Nasional strongholds
Melaka PAS chief Zulkifli Ismail stated that the party has already identified its target constituencies. Out of the 16 seats, 15 are currently held by Barisan Nasional (BN) representatives.
The identified seats include Pantai Kundor, Paya Rumput, Klebang, Tanjung Bidara, Ayer Limau, Linggi, Taboh Naning, Rembia, Durian Tunggal, Ayer Molek, Pengkalan Batu, Telok Mas, Duyong, Sungai Rambai, Merlimau, and Serkam.
In the 2021 Melaka polls, Umno secured nearly all of these constituencies, with the exception of Klebang, which was won by MCA. While Umno also won the Rembia seat during the previous election, its assemblyman, Jailani Khamis, moved to PAS before the state’s anti-hopping legislation was implemented.
Strategy and coalition background
Zulkifli Ismail noted that this decision follows the recent announcement by PAS election director Sanusi Nor during the official launch of the Melaka PAS election machinery.
The proposed 16-seat target represents a notable increase for the party compared to the 2021 state election.
During that period, PAS contested only eight seats as part of the Perikatan Nasional (PN) coalition, while Bersatu took on 15 seats and Gerakan contested five.
Perikatan Nasional previously secured two seats through Bersatu representatives Yadzil Yaakub and Aleef Yusof. However, Yadzil Yaakub was subsequently sacked from his party in February.
Timeline for the state polls
Under the current legislative cycle, the Melaka state assembly is scheduled to expire automatically in December.
This timeline would mandate that the 16th state election be held no later than February 2027.
However, Melaka Chief Minister Ab Rauf Yusoh has indicated that the state polls are likely to be brought forward and held within this year.
As the parties prepare their machinery, the focus shifts to how the Perikatan Nasional components will finalize their seat allocations to challenge the incumbent administration.
