Akmal set to give up Merlimau to PAS, eyeing other safe seats
%2Ffile%2Fpublisher-c1a3f893382d2b2f8a9aa22a654d9c97%2F2025%2F08%2F4160f5c190628fc4fa61b6b82643427d.jpg&w=3840&q=75)
Umno Youth chief Dr. Akmal Saleh is preparing to vacate his Merlimau seat for PAS in the upcoming Malacca polls as part of a broader political realignment. He is currently exploring other potential seats to contest, including those with shifting demographic profiles.
Why it matters
The move reflects shifting alliances within Malaysian politics and the strategic maneuvering of parties to secure safe seats in state elections.
News ✕ Akmal set to give up Merlimau to PAS, eyeing other safe seats Published: Oct 15, 2026 9:57 AM Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh is set to give up his Merlimau seat to PAS in the upcoming Malacca polls.
Akmal yesterday thanked his constituents in a Facebook post, adding, "Where to next?"
Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh is set to give up his Merlimau seat to PAS in the upcoming Malacca polls.
Meanwhile, The Star today quoted a Malacca PAS source as confirming that state party chief Zulkifli Ismail would be fielded in Merlimau. Zulkifli is also the Jasin MP.
Akmal won Merlimau in the 2021 snap state election - which was hampered by low turnout - with 58 percent of votes.
Also covering this story
One other newsroom covered this event. We read that version too.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in