MELAKA, Sept 22 — The Melaka State Legislative Assembly will be dissolved tomorrow to pave the way for the 16th state election.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh announced the matter at a press conference at the Seri Negeri Complex here today.
He said the dissolution had received the consent of Melaka Governor Tun Mohd Ali Rustam.
“I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest appreciation to the Governor of Melaka for his consent and wisdom in carrying out his functions as provided for under the law,” he said.
Ab Rauf said State Assembly Speaker Datuk Ibrahim Durum had also submitted the notice of dissolution to the Election Commission (EC).
The last Melaka state election was held on Nov 20, 2021, after four assemblymen withdrew their support for then Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali, causing the state government to collapse.
They were former Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron (BN-Sungai Udang), Datuk Nor Azman Hassan (BN-Pantai Kundor), Datuk Noor Effandi Ahmad (Bersatu-Telok Mas) and independent Datuk Norhizam Hassan Baktee (Pengkalan Batu).
Barisan Nasional (BN) won 21 of the 28 seats in the election, securing a more than two-thirds majority to form the state government.
Of the 21 seats, Umno won 18, MCA two and MIC one.
Pakatan Harapan (PH) secured five seats, four of which through DAP and one through Amanah, while Perikatan Nasional (PN) won two.
The composition of the assembly subsequently changed after Rembia assemblyman Datuk Muhammad Jailani Khamis left BN for PAS, while Bemban assemblyman Dr Mohd Yadzil Yaakub was expelled from Bersatu and became an independent while remaining in the opposition bloc.
The changes reduced BN’s representation to 20 seats, but it retained a comfortable majority in the 28-seat assembly and continued to govern the state.
The current assembly’s term had been due to expire on Dec 27. — Bernama
