Rauf, Akmal stay in their safe seats, MCA irked, risky seats left to PN
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The Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition is playing it safe in the upcoming Malacca state election by only contesting seats they or their partners previously won. This strategy has caused friction with the MCA party, which is unhappy with its limited seat allocation and lack of consultation.
Why it matters
Internal coalition tensions and seat-allocation disputes can significantly impact election outcomes and the stability of political alliances.
News ✕ Rauf, Akmal stay in their safe seats, MCA irked, risky seats left to PN Zikri Kamarulzaman Published: Oct 24, 2026 11:15 PM BN is not taking any risks in the Malacca state election, opting to contest only seats it or its Perikatan Nasional partner won previously – a move which has inadvertently upset MCA.
Caretaker chief minister Ab Rauf Yusoh will defend Tanjung Bidara for a second term, while Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh will stay in Merlimau despite previously indicating he would move to another seat.
Tanjung Bidara could have been a battleground had BN and PN contested against each other. During the 15th general election, PN secured 51 percent support in the constituency, compared with BN’s 41 percent.
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