Melaka Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Ab Rauf Yusoh has confirmed that state executive councillor Rais Yasin will contest the Sungai Udang seat in the upcoming Melaka state election.
Rauf said Rais, the incumbent Paya Rumput assemblyman, was the most suitable candidate for BN in Sungai Udang, The Star reported.
Rais to contest Sungai Udang
Rauf said BN had continued serving Sungai Udang constituents, including attending to the needs of military personnel in the area, despite losing the seat in the 2021 state election.
Rais is currently BN’s Sungai Udang coordinator. He is also the state housing, local government, drainage, climate change and disaster management committee chairman and Tangga Batu Umno chief.
Berita Harian reported yesterday that Sungai Udang and Paya Rumput were among several seats to watch in the upcoming Melaka polls.
The Malay-language portal quoted a source as saying that moving Rais from Paya Rumput could pave the way for Pakatan Harapan, particularly PKR, to field a ‘heavyweight’ candidate there.
The source also said Azman Abidin, the prime minister’s political secretary and Federal Territories PKR chief, was being considered for Paya Rumput, although no final decision had been made.
Sungai Udang contest
In the 2021 Melaka election, Perikatan Nasional’s Aleef Yusof won Sungai Udang with a majority of 530 votes.
He defeated BN’s Ali Mohamad, PH’s Hasmorni Tamby and independent candidate Zahar Hashim. The seat is considered an Umno-BN stronghold.
On Friday, Aleef announced that he had left Bersatu to join Wawasan.
Rais retained Paya Rumput in 2021
In the 2021 state election, Rais won Paya Rumput with a majority of 629 votes.
He defeated PH’s Shamsul Iskandar Akin, PN’s Faris Izwan Mazlan, Putra’s Hashidi Zin and independent candidate Jaini Dimon.
