KUALA LUMPUR: Perikatan Nasional’s candidate for Melaka chief minister is Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin, says the coalition.

       Its chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said Perikatan is making history as Mas Ermieyati is the first woman to be put up as potential chief minister.

       “Melaka voters want a clean and experienced leader who has a good track record. She possesses all these qualities and is an easy candidate to accept.

       “Melaka knows her as she has been a politician there for a long time, with additional experience as a federal deputy minister,” he told a press conference yesterday.

       On Perikatan being labelled the underdog in the state election tomorrow, Muhyiddin said that he trusts the wisdom of the voters.

       “That is okay, putting us as the underdog, but take Sabah as an example – Perikatan was only three weeks old when we contested there. Now we have been in power for around a year.

       “Some say it is as if there are only two sides contesting in Melaka and we are ‘tak guna’ (useless), but apologies because we do not want to call the other sides useless as well. We leave it to the voters,” he said, adding that the wisdom of the Melaka voters should not be underestimated.

       Muhyiddin also said that should Mas Ermieyati get the post, it is very likely that she would tender her resignation as Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law).

       “I think so because it is only appropriate. She can’t be holding federal and state government positions,” he added.

       Mas Ermieyati, who was present at the press conference, expressed her gratitude to the coalition.

       “This is not just a sign of appreciation to me, but to all women. But let me win first then we can discuss about my plans for Melaka.

       “So far, the campaign has gone well and I hope voters there will give me a chance,” she added.

       Mas Ermieyati, 45, is in a three-cornered battle for the Tanjung Bidara seat with state Umno liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh of Barisan Nasional and Zainal Hassan of Pakatan Harapan.

       Perikatan is contesting in all 28 seats of the assembly in the Nov 20 polling with component parties Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia standing in 15 seats, PAS in eight and Gerakan in five.