MELAKA: Melaka Umno is confident of securing its stronghold constituencies of Sungai Udang and Pantai Kundor if a state election is held following the sacking of two assemblymen from the party.

       State party chief Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said the preparation of the election machinery at the two state seats would be handled by Tangga Batu Umno division chief Datuk Seri Mohamad Ali Mohamad.

       "We will defend our strongholds if the state election is held," he said after handing laptops to Masjid Tanah Umno branch members at Kampung Pulau here on Friday (Oct 15).

       Ab Rauf said Umno is ready with its machinery and the party is prepared to face the polls.

       "We will only discuss any working relationship with other political parties once our own election machinery is strengthened," he said.

       On Oct 4, Sungai Udang assemblyman Datuk Seri Idris Haron and Pantai Kundor assemblyman Datuk Nor Azman Hassan declared that they had lost confidence in the Barisan Nasional/Perikatan Nasional-led state government.

       The other two who also exited were Telok Mas assemblyman Datuk Noor Effandi Ahmad and Pengkalan Batu assemblyman Datuk Norhizam Hassan Baktee, resulting in the dissolution of the state government.