2026 Malacca state election
General election for the 16th Malacca State Legislative Assembly
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 2026 Malacca state election will elect members of the 16th Malacca State Legislative Assembly. It must be held on or before 25 February 2027, pursuant to clause 19(4) of the Constitution of Malacca or unless dissolved earlier by the Yang di-Pertua Negeri of Malacca on the advice of the Chief Minister of Malacca.
 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
On or before October 2026
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
All 28 seats in the Legislative Assembly 15 seats needed for a majority | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
.jpg)
.jpg)
All 28 seats in the Malacca State Legislative Assembly will be contested. The election will determine whether the incumbent Barisan Nasional government under Menteri Besar Ab Rauf Yusoh retains power, or whether opposition coalitions such as Perikatan Nasional or Pakatan Harapan can secure a majority. The Melaka Legislative Assembly is likely to be dissolved within the next three months, paving the way for a state election that could be held by September.[1]
Constituencies
Composition before dissolution
| BN | PH | PN | |||||
| 20 | 5 | 3 | |||||
| 17 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| UMNO | MCA | MIC | DAP | AMANAH | BERSATU | PAS | WAWASAN |
Background
Previous election
The previous state election was held on 20 November 2021 following the dissolution of the 15th State Legislative Assembly. Barisan Nasional won a two-thirds supermajority, securing 21 of 28 seats.
2023: PH joins BN-led state government
Barisan Nasional governed alone until 2023, where it invited Pakatan Harapan to the state government to mirror the unity government coalition at the federal level.
2026: PH withdrawal from state government and return to opposition
Pakatan Harapan's component party Democratic Action Party (DAP) withdrew from the state government on 14 July 2026 to oppose the BN-led government's move to amend the state Constitution, which would allow the state government to nominate and appoint 7 unelected assembly members.[2][3]
DAP representatives moved to sit on the opposition benches the next day although state PH chief Adly Zahari (Amanah) remained seated with the government side.[4]
Melaka Pakatan chairman Adly then reaffirmed the decision of the state Pakatan Harapan's departure from the state government during a coalition leadership meeting held on 16 July, agreed by all 3 component parties, PKR, DAP and Amanah, despite calls from Prime Minister Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim for DAP to defer its departure from state government.[5]
Electoral system
Elections in Malaysia are conducted at the federal and state levels. Federal elections elect members of the Dewan Rakyat, the lower house of Parliament, while state elections in each of the 13 states elect members of their respective state legislative assembly. As Malaysia follows the Westminster system of government, the head of government (Prime Minister at the federal level and the Menteri Besar/Chief Ministers/Premier at the state level) is the person who commands the confidence of the majority of members in the respective legislature – this is normally the leader of the party or coalition with the majority of seats in the legislature.
The Legislative Assembly currently consists of 28 members, known as Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), that are elected for five-year terms. Each MLA is elected from a single-member constituencies using the first-past-the-post voting system; each constituency contains approximately an equal number of voters. If one party obtains a majority of seats, then that party is entitled to form the government, with its leader becoming the Premier. In the event of a hung parliament, where no single party obtains the majority of seats, the government may still form through a coalition or a confidence and supply agreement with other parties. In practice, coalitions and alliances in Malaysia, and by extension, in Sarawak, generally persist between elections, and member parties do not normally contest for the same seats.
On 14 July 2026, the BN-led government moved to amend the state Constitution, which would allow the state government to nominate and appoint 7 unelected assembly members. The amendment was passed by a vote of 23-5 - with all 21 BN and 2 PN representatives in support, and all 5 PH representatives voting against.[6]
The voting age is currently 18.[7][8][9][10] Elections are conducted by the Election Commission of Malaysia, which is under the jurisdiction of the Prime Minister's Department. Malaysia practices automatic voter registration but does not practice compulsory voting.
Preparations
Political parties
Barisan Nasional is expected to defend its governing mandate, while Pakatan Harapan aims to regain influence after losing control in 2021. Barisan Nasional may also expand its challenge in Malay-majority constituencies. On 17 May 2026, Chief Minister of Malacca (from Barisan Nasional) disclosed a possibility that his state's election could be held within 120 days after his statement.[11] Barisan Nasional claimed on 30 August 2026 it would negotiate coalition talks after the assembly dissolved.[12]
On July 15, while announcing Bersama not contesting Negeri Sembilan state election, de facto leader Rafizi instead stated that this election was the party's next focus.[13]
Seat negotiations among parties are expected to play a major role in determining electoral competitiveness.
Campaign slogans
| Party | Slogan |
|---|---|
| Perikatan Nasional | Menuju Seri Negeri |
| Pakatan Harapan | |
| Barisan Nasional | Melaka Sayang Rakyat （MeSRa） |
| Malaysian United Indigenous Party | |
| Progressive Bloc | |
| Malaysian United Party |
Timeline
The key dates are listed below:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| TBA | Dissolution of Malacca State Legislative Assembly. |
| Issue the Writ of Election. | |
| Nomination Day. | |
| Campaigning Period. | |
| Early Polling Days for Postal, Overseas and Advance Voters. | |
| Polling Day. |
Departing incumbents
The following members of the 15th Malacca State Legislative Assembly did not seek re-election.
| No. | State Constituency | Departing MLA | Coalition (Party) | Date confirmed | First elected | Reason |
|---|
Incumbents contested in different party
Incumbents contested in different constituency
Incumbents lost re-election in the 2026 election
Candidates
Candidate announcements are expected closer to nomination day.
| No | Parliamentary constituency |
No | State Constituency | Number of Voters | Incumbent Member | Incumbent Coalition (Party) | Political coalitions and respective candidates and coalitions | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barisan Nasional (BN) | Pakatan Harapan (PH) | Perikatan Nasional (PN) | Malaysian United Indigenous Party (BERSATU) | Malaysian United Party (BERSAMA) | Progressive Bloc | Others | ||||||||||||||
| Candidate name | Party | Candidate name | Party | Candidate name | Party | Candidate name | Party | Candidate name | Party | Candidate name | Party | Candidate name | Party | |||||||
| P134 | Masjid Tanah | N01 | Kuala Linggi | Rosli Abdullah | BN (UMNO) | UMNO | AMANAH | PAS | BERSATU | Ruzsyahriman Jenal | BERSAMA | |||||||||
| N02 | Tanjung Bidara | Ab Rauf Yusoh | BN (UMNO) | Ab Rauf Yusoh | UMNO | PKR | Mas Ermieyati Samsudin | WAWASAN | BERSATU | Not Contested | ||||||||||
| N03 | Ayer Limau | Hameed Mytheen Kunju Basheer | BN (UMNO) | UMNO | PKR | PAS | BERSATU | |||||||||||||
| N04 | Lendu | Sulaiman Md Ali | BN (UMNO) | UMNO | PKR | WAWASAN | BERSATU | |||||||||||||
| N05 | Taboh Naning | Zulkiflee Mohd Zin | BN (UMNO) | UMNO | AMANAH | PAS | ||||||||||||||
| P135 | Alor Gajah | N06 | Rembia | Muhammad Jailani Khamis | PN (PAS) | UMNO | PKR | PAS | BERSATU | Muhamed Aman Akil Abdul Talib | BERSAMA | |||||||||
| N07 | Gadek | Shanmugam Ptcyhay | BN (MIC) | MIC | DAP | PEJUANG | BERSATU | Laveen Balaprabhakaran | BERSAMA | |||||||||||
| N08 | Machap Jaya | Ngwe Hee Sem | BN (MCA) | MCA | PKR | WAWASAN | BERSATU | Prasanth Kumar Brakasam | BERSAMA | |||||||||||
| N09 | Durian Tunggal | Zahari Abd Khalil | BN (UMNO) | UMNO | AMANAH | PAS | Not Contested | |||||||||||||
| N10 | Asahan | Fairul Nizam Roslan | BN (UMNO) | UMNO | PKR | PAS | ||||||||||||||
| P136 | Tangga Batu | N11 | Sungai Udang | Mohd Aleef Yusof | PN (BERSATU) | Rais Yasin | UMNO | PKR | WAWASAN | BERSATU | Mohd Ridzuan Abdul Rahman | BERSAMA | ||||||||
| N12 | Pantai Kundor | Tuminah Kadi | BN (UMNO) | UMNO | AMANAH | PAS | BERSATU | Not Contested | ||||||||||||
| N13 | Paya Rumput | Rais Yasin | BN (UMNO) | UMNO | PKR | PAS | BERSATU | Abdul Rasid Abu Bakar | BERSAMA | |||||||||||
| N14 | Kelebang | Lim Ban Hong | BN (MCA) | MCA | PKR | PAS | Young Jie Yu | BERSAMA | ||||||||||||
| P137 | Hang Tuah Jaya | N15 | Pengkalan Batu | Kalsom Noordin | BN (UMNO) | UMNO | DAP | PAS | BERSATU | Goh Han Koon | BERSAMA | |||||||||
| N16 | Ayer Keroh | Kerk Chee Yee | PH (DAP) | MCA | DAP | GERAKAN | Muhammad Muhaimin Lau Abdullah | BERSAMA | ||||||||||||
| N17 | Bukit Katil | Adly Zahari | PH (AMANAH) | UMNO | AMANAH | PAS | Aliza Che Azman | BERSAMA | ||||||||||||
| N18 | Ayer Molek | Rahmad Mariman | BN (UMNO) | UMNO | PKR | PAS | BERSATU | Not Contested | ||||||||||||
| P138 | Kota Melaka | N19 | Kesidang | Allex Seah Shoo Chin | PH (DAP) | MCA | DAP | GERAKAN | Bryan Kek Kit Hun | BERSAMA | ||||||||||
| N20 | Kota Laksamana | Low Chee Leong | PH (DAP) | MCA | DAP | GERAKAN | Ethan Lim Zhu Hao | BERSAMA | ||||||||||||
| N21 | Duyong | Mohd Noor Helmy Abdul Halem | BN (UMNO) | UMNO | DAP | PAS | Not Contested | |||||||||||||
| N22 | Bandar Hilir | Leng Chau Yen | PH (DAP) | MCA | DAP | GERAKAN | ||||||||||||||
| N23 | Telok Mas | Abdul Razak Abdul Rahman | BN (UMNO) | UMNO | AMANAH | PAS | BERSATU | Muhammad Hazwan Mustafa | BERSAMA | |||||||||||
| P139 | Jasin | N24 | Bemban | Mohd Yadzil Yaakub | PN (WAWASAN) | MCA | DAP | Mohd Yadzil Yaakub | WAWASAN | BERSATU | Muhammad Solehin Saleh | BERSAMA | ||||||||
| N25 | Rim | Khaidirah Abu Zahar | BN (UMNO) | UMNO | PKR | WAWASAN | BERSATU | Not Contested | ||||||||||||
| N26 | Serkam | Zaidi Attan | BN (UMNO) | UMNO | PKR | PAS | Muhammad Saffie Md Salam | BERSAMA | ||||||||||||
| N27 | Merlimau | Muhamad Akmal Saleh | BN (UMNO) | UMNO | AMANAH | PAS | Not Contested | |||||||||||||
| N28 | Sungai Rambai | Siti Faizah Abdul Azis | BN (UMNO) | UMNO | AMANAH | PAS | BERSATU | |||||||||||||
Statistics and Summary
Seats contested by candidates
Candidates gender
Candidates age range
Opinion polls
Opinion polling has yet to intensify significantly ahead of the election.
