Melaka assembly dissolved as seat talks become the first test

MELAKA: The Melaka State Legislative Assembly was dissolved with effect from today, clearing the way for the state's 16th election across 28 seats and shifting attention to seat negotiations between the parties.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh announced the dissolution on Tuesday after receiving the consent of the Yang di-Pertua Negeri, Tun Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam.

Under the state constitution, an election must be held within 60 days of dissolution. The Election Commission will set the nomination and polling dates, which have not been announced.

The state is now run by a caretaker government until a new administration is formed.

Seven seats on the table

Ab Rauf has repeatedly said Barisan Nasional will not share the 21 seats it won in 2021. On August 27 he described that figure as the boundary line for any discussion.

That leaves only seven of the 28 seats outside BN's claim.

On September 21 he said parties interested in cooperating should submit proposals through official channels rather than social media.

Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had said formal talks would begin only after the assembly was dissolved, with Ab Rauf leading them.

Two rivals, two solo threats

Pakatan Harapan has said it is ready to contest on its own if no understanding is reached with BN.

Perikatan Nasional has said it will contest every seat in the assembly if talks with BN fail.

PAS information chief Ahmad Fadhli Shaari signalled on Tuesday that his party was open to working with BN, saying the "unity of the ummah" would be realised again in Melaka.

That leaves BN facing the prospect of three-cornered fights in any seat not settled at the negotiating table.

The 2021 record

In the 2021 state election, BN won 21 of the 28 seats, Pakatan Harapan five and Perikatan Nasional two. Turnout was 65.85 per cent.

The Melaka election is the third state poll this year, after Johor and Negeri Sembilan.