MELAKA, Nov 14 – Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ab Rauf Yusoh and Deputy Higher Education Minister Adam Adli Abd Halim were among the political leaders who cast their ballots during the 16th Melaka State Election on Saturday.
Ab Rauf arrived at Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Jeram in Masjid Tanah, Alor Gajah, at 8.38 am. His wife, Datin Seri Zuriyah Ab Aziz, accompanied him and also voted at the polling centre.
After voting, Ab Rauf, who is also the Melaka Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman, encouraged residents to come out and fulfil their responsibility as voters.
Ab Rauf Faces Straight Fight in Tanjung Bidara
Ab Rauf is defending the Tanjung Bidara state seat for BN. He faces Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate Mohd Yunazri Mustamiri, who is contesting in an election for the first time.
At the previous Melaka state election in 2021, Ab Rauf won the seat with a majority of 364 votes. He defeated PH candidate Zainal Hassan and Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin.
Adam Adli Arrives Early in Bukit Katil
Meanwhile, Adam Adli arrived at SK Dato’ Demang Hussin in Bukit Katil at about 7.45 am.
The Deputy Higher Education Minister joined the queue with other voters before entering the polling station. He is also the acting chairman of the Melaka PKR State Leadership Council.
The Bukit Katil constituency is seeing a four-cornered contest. The candidates are incumbent Adly Zahari of PH, Muhammad Ridzuan Mohd Sarif of PN, Dr Aliza Che Amran of Parti Bersama Malaysia and independent candidate Abu Bakar Sabudin.
Adly, who is also the Deputy Defence Minister, was expected to vote at 4 pm after inspecting the voting process in the constituency.
Other Political Leaders Cast Their Ballots
At SJK(C) Notre Dame, Melaka DAP publicity secretary Kerk Chee Yee cast his vote at about 8.20 am for the Kota Laksamana constituency.
Kerk, who is also the PH candidate for Ayer Keroh, urged voters to check their assigned polling stations before leaving home. He warned that some voters might still rely on outdated polling information.
In Machap Jaya, PH candidate Datuk Ginie Lim Siew Lin voted at SJK(C) Machap Umboo at 8.10 am. The seat is a three-way contest involving incumbent Datuk Ngwe Hee Sem of BN and Prasanth Kumar Brakasam of Parti Bersama Malaysia.
Ngwe later arrived at SK Rendah Agama Jaim in Kampung Ayer, Machap, at 9.10 am to cast his ballot.
Voters Decide Melaka’s Next Leadership
The 16th Melaka State Election involves 28 state constituencies. Voters are choosing representatives who will shape the state’s next administration.
Political leaders have also encouraged residents to check their polling details and vote early to avoid confusion and delays.
The participation of candidates and party leaders on polling day marks another important stage in the state’s democratic process.
Source : BERNAMA | Rewritten By Minutesmy
