GE15: Melaka BN among earliest states to submit candidates list

MELAKA - Melaka Barisan Nasional (BN) is the among the first states to submit the names of candidates to the coalition's leadership for the 15th General Election (GE15).

Its chairman Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said each division proposed five names to be evaluated by the leadership and Melaka BN was now just waiting for the decision as to who among them will be eligible to contest this time.

"The complete list of names of candidates has been submitted to the top leadership to be screened and evaluated.

"The result of this screening and evaluation will be the selection of the best ones (to contest parliamentary seats) from the five names proposed by the divisions," he told reporters after chairing a special meeting of Melaka BN here last night.

Ab Rauf, who is also Melaka Umno chief, said Melaka BN aims to win four parliamentary seats in the state, namely Masjid Tanah, Jasin, Tangga Batu and Alor Gajah, and is also eyeing the Hang Tuah Jaya constituency.

Ab Rauf said Umno will contest in Masjid Tanah, Jasin, Tangga Batu and Hang Tuah Jaya while MCA in Alor Gajah and Kota Melaka.

He said Melaka BN will be fielding new candidates for this election and that the incumbent of the Jasin seat, Datuk Seri Ahmad Hamzah, will not be in the fray as he is making way to a younger candidate.

Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi was previously reported as saying that the Umno chairman of each state will start submitting the names of candidates to contest state and parliamentary seats in GE15 starting Monday (Oct 10).

Melaka will not be dissolving its state assembly for GE15 because it just held its state election in November last year. Thus, there will only be contests for parliamentary seats in Melaka.

Parliament was dissolved on Monday (Oct 10) to pave the way for GE15, which must be held within 60 days from the date of dissolution. - BERNAMA