PETALING JAYA: Many new and relatively young candidates are being fielded by the Pakatan Harapan coalition in the upcoming Melaka election, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

       The Pakatan chairman noted their youngest candidate was just 21.

       Farzana Hayani Mohd Nasir, who is Melaka PKR Srikandi (young women’s wing) chief, will contest the Sungai Rambai seat.

       “Of course, we also have some seniors in the line-up.

       “We also have several women candidates from the three parties.

       “Eight seats will be fielded by DAP, nine by Amanah and 11 PKR candidates, all contesting under the Pakatan Harapan coalition.

       “We will contest under one party. We need stable politics and we reject corruption as well as abuse of power,” said Anwar during a virtual press conference yesterday.

       He reiterated that Pakatan would be contesting in all 28 state seats.

       He said Umno defectors Datuk Seri Idris Haron and Datuk Nor Azman Hassan would be contesting under the Pakatan banner.

       Idris, who is a former Melaka chief minister, will be standing in the Asahan state seat while Nor Azman would be defending his Pantai Kundor seat. Anwar said Idris had been accepted as a PKR member while Nor Azman had been accepted as an Amanah member.

       The Amanah candidates contesting in the state polls are Adly Zahari (Bukit Katil), Mohd Sofi Wahab (Durian Tunggal), Zairi Suboh (Taboh Naning), Datuk Nor Azman Hassan (Pantai Kundar), Azrin Ab Majid (Merlimau), Muhammad Khomeini Kamal (Serkam), Mazenah Baharuddin (Ayer Limau), Datuk Ashraf Mukhlis Minghat (Telok Mas) and Julasapiah Kasim (Kuala Linggi).

       The PKR candidates are Zainal Hassan (Tanjung Bidara), Mohamad Asri Ibrahim (Lendu), Zamri Pakiri (Rembia), Law Bing Haw (Machap Jaya), Datuk Seri Idris Haron (Asahan), Hasmorni Tamby ( Sungai Udang), Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin (Paya Rumput), Datuk Gue Teck (Kelebang), Mohd Rafee Ibrahim (Ayer Molek), Prasanth Kumar Brakasam (Rim) and Farzana Hayani in Sungai Rambai.

       DAP named its candidates on Friday. During the press conference announcing its candidates, it introduced two new faces, in addition to retaining six incumbents.

       The two new faces are Muhamad Danish Zainudin, 25, who would be fielded in the Pengkalan Batu seat while Leng Chau Yen, 37, will contest the Bandar Hilir seat.