PETALING JAYA: A “free-for-all” situation is shaping up in the upcoming Melaka state election, as multi-cornered fights are expected in all 28 seats between Barisan Nasional, Perikatan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan.

       There were a slew of announcements yesterday, and Barisan was the first to announce that it would contest all 28 seats, with 20 going to Umno, seven to MCA and one to MIC.

       Pakatan and Perikatan also announced that they would contest all 28 seats, followed by Parti Bumiputera Perkasa Malaysia (Putra), which would be going for five seats.

       Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said Barisan would be fielding 24 new faces and several party heavyweights, among them state Umno chief Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusof, who will be fielded in Tanjung Bidara.

       A long-time Umno stronghold, Tanjung Bidara is set to see a three-cornered fight between Rauf, Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia’s Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin and PKR’s Zainal Hasan, a 59-year-old entrepreneur.

       The fight for Pengkalan Batu is expected to be five-cornered, as its incumbent Datuk Norhizam Hassan Baktee is expected to defend his seat as an Independent candidate against Barisan’s Datuk Kalsom Nordin, Bersatu’s Mohd Azrudin Md Idris, DAP’s Muhamad Danish Zainudin and Putra’s Dr Muhammad Alwi Sani.

       MCA’s Datuk Lim Ban Hong, who is also Deputy International Trade and Industry Minister, will clash with PKR’s Datuk Gue Teck and PAS’ Bakri Jamaluddin in Kelebang in a three-cornered fight.

       After Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also Bersatu president, unveiled Perikatan’s list of candidates, it was clear that PAS is set to clash with Umno, its Muafakat Nasional ally, in at least eight seats – Kuala Linggi, Taboh Naning, Durian Tunggal, Kelebang, Bukit Katil, Duyong, Serkam and Merlimau.

       When asked how contesting against one another in the Melaka state election would affect the relationship between Bersatu and Umno, who are both part of the Federal Government, Muhyiddin said: “I think this is okay as far as the Federal Government is concerned, so hopefully it will not in any way create any major issue.

       “I think Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri hopefully will be working well with the rest of the members of the Cabinet, whether they come from Barisan or Perikatan.”

       According to Muhyiddin, Perikatan component parties Bersatu, PAS and Gerakan reached a consensus on seat allocations during a recent supreme council meeting.

       “From the 28 seats that Perikatan is contesting, Bersatu will contest 15, PAS eight and Gerakan five.

       “Forty-three per cent of our candidates are aged 40 and below, and many of them are professionals and well educated,” he said.

       Pakatan’s list of candidates announced by Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim declared that PKR would contest 11 seats, DAP eight and Amanah nine.

       Among the highlights of Pakatan’s announcement was that former chief minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron is officially a PKR member while Datuk Nor Azman Hassan is officially an Amanah member.

       Idris and Nor Azman are former Umno members.

       According to Anwar, Idris will contest in Asahan while Nor Azman will defend his Pantai Kundor seat.

       During the press conference to announce the candidates, Anwar and Mohamad Sabu defended accepting Idris and Nor Azman under Pakatan’s fold.

       “We’re not going to make enemies with all three million Umno members or PAS’ one million members.

       “For those against corruption and injustice, they can approach us and explain,” said Anwar, adding that former chief minister Adly Zahari would be Pakatan’s choice of chief minister if they win.

       Previously, Idris led three assemblymen – Nor Azman, Norhizam and Datuk Noor Effandi Ahmad – in a retraction of support for the Perikatan state government, triggering its subsequent collapse.

       DAP was noticeably absent during the press conference where Anwar and Mohamad sat next to each other.

       DAP leaders had been particularly vocal against Pakatan accepting the four assemblymen who triggered the collapse of the state government.

       DAP MP Ramkarpal Singh on Nov 1 had said fielding such candidates in the state polls would be a liability.

       During the press conference, Anwar said DAP was absent because it had already announced its candidates several days before.

       Outside the Parliament in Kuala Lumpur, the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) said that it would abstain from contesting because it was against Pakatan’s stand to field Idris and Nor Azman as candidates.

       Muda founder Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman said the fledgling party would focus on preparations for the 15th General Election instead.

       “Muda rejects politics without principles. We don’t want to prioritise seats over principles,” said Syed Saddiq at a virtual press conference.

       At another virtual press conference, Putra president Datuk Ibrahim Ali said the party would contest five seats – Duyong, Sungai Rambai, Pengkalan Batu, Jasin and Paya Rumput.

       This means there will be a four-cornered fight in Sungai Rambai between Barisan’s Siti Faizah Abdul Azis, Bersatu’s Muhammad Jefri Safry and Putra’s Nazatul Asyraf Md Dom against PKR’s Farzana Hayani Mohd Nasir, the youngest candidate at 21.

       Duyong is also set to see a four-cornered fight between Barisan’s Mohd Noor Helmy Abd Halem, PAS’ Datuk Kamarudin Sedik, DAP’s Damian Yeo and Putra’s Mohd Faizal Amzah.

       There will also be a four-cornered fight in Paya Rumput, as Putra’s Mohd Hashidi Mohd Zin will take on PKR information chief Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin, Bersatu’s Muhammad Faris Izwan Mazlan and Barisan’s Datuk Rais Yassin.

       Tomorrow is nomination day and polling is on Nov 20.