MELAKA, April 23 — Melaka Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Datuk Seri Idris Haron will defend the Sungai Udang state seat in the 14th general election (GE14).

When announcing the Melaka BN candidates at an event in Ayer Keroh here today, Idris, who is also Melaka Chief Minister, also announced that Puteri Umno chief Datuk Mas Emieyati Samsuddin would defend the Masjid Tanah parliamentary seat.

Former Melaka chief minister Tan Sri Mohd Ali Rustam was renominated to contest in the Hang Tuah Jaya (previously known as Bukit Katil prior to redelineation of electoral boundaries) parliamentary seat where he lost the seat with a majority of 5,447 votes in the previous general election.

Meanwhile, Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Dr Abu Bakar Mohamad Diah switched from Tangga Batu parliamentary seat to Paya Rumput state seat, and Melaka Umno youth chief Datuk Zali Mat Yasin will be fielded in his place.

Idris also announced that Melaka MCA chairman Lim Ban Hong would defend the Klebang state seat, while Melaka MIC secretary Datuk P. Panirchelvam would be fielded at the Gadek state seat to replace former Melaka MIC chairman Datuk MS Mahadevan whose name was dropped from the state list for GE14.

Melaka has 28 state and six parliamentary constituencies, all of which are being contested by BN in GE14. In the last general election, BN won 21 state and four parliamentary seats.

At the same event, Idris also announced Bukit Katil MCA division chief Datuk Koh Nai Kwang will move from Alor Gajah parliamentary constituency to the Machap Jaya state seat, with his former place taken over by the Prime Minister’s political secretary, Wong Nai Chee.

Wong is a comeback candidate, and in GE11, defeated DAP candidate Kerk Kim Hock for the Kota Melaka seat, but in GE12, he lost to DAP’s Sim Tong Him.

Melaka Umno deputy chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Hamzah will defend his Jasin parliamentary seat for the third term, while Kota Melaka parliamentary seat will be contested by MCA Youth and Young Professionals Bureau chairman Choo Wei Sern who is a new face.

Melaka Gerakan chairman Datuk Chua Lian Chye has been renominated to contest in the Pengkalan Batu state seat which was formerly known as Bachang state seat before the redelineation of electoral boundaries, while MCA candidate Datuk Ng Choon Koon will move from Bemban state seat to Kesidang state seat. — Bernama