MELAKA, Sept 22 — The Melaka State Legislative Assembly will be dissolved tomorrow to make way for the 16th state election, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh told a press conference at Seri Negeri Complex here today.
He said Melaka Governor Tun Mohd Ali Rustam had consented to the move.
“With this dissolution, the term of the 15th Melaka State Legislative Assembly comes to an end, and the subsequent process will be carried out in accordance with the law and decisions of authorities concerned.
“I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest appreciation to the Melaka governor for his consent and wisdom in carrying out his functions as provided for under the law,” he said.
Ab Rauf said State Speaker Datuk Ibrahim Durum has submitted the assembly dissolution notice to the Election Commission (EC).
The last Melaka election was held on November 20, 2021, after four assemblymen withdrew their support for then Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali.
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 Datuk Norhizam Hassan Baktee (Independent-Pengkalan Batu).
Barisan Nasional (BN) won 21 of the 28 seats in the 2021 polls, securing more than a two-thirds majority to form the state government. Of the 21 seats, UMNO won 18, MCA won two, and MIC won one.
Pakatan Harapan secured five seats, four through DAP and one through Amanah, while Perikatan Nasional won two.
The composition of the assembly changed after Rembia assemblyman Datuk Muhammad Jailani Khamis left BN for PAS, while Bemban assemblyman Mohd Yadzil Yaakub was expelled from Bersatu and became an Independent candidate 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 expired on December 27.
