MELAKA: Based on the announcements by political parties so far, at least 15 women out of an estimated 90-plus candidates are expected to join the fray for the 28 seats in the Melaka state election.

       Alternative healing therapy teacher Leong Hui Ying, 29, will be contesting the Kesidang state seat as an MCA candidate under the Barisan Nasional ticket.

       The true-blue Melakan is also the Wanita MCA national deputy publicity bureau chief and the wing’s state deputy publicity bureau chief.

       Her youth has not stopped her from being active in politics and getting involved in community work.

       Leong holds a degree in Speech Communication from Shih Hsin University in Taiwan after graduating from Pay Fong Middle School.

       As a youth member, she has also been actively involved in Persatuan Kwang Tung Huay Kuan Melaka and the Melaka Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

       Datuk Khaidiriah Abu Zahar, popularly known as Dira, will contest the Rim state seat for Umno.

       The former TV host and party supreme council member is the daughter of late Melaka chief minister Datuk Seri Abu Zahar Ithnin.

       She has appeared in TV dramas Rona Roni Makaroni, Merah Puteh, Arjuna and Crossings, films Chow Kit, Lari and Kimchi Untuk Awak, and directed the play Mencari Sumaiyah.

       A member of Puteri Umno since 2013, Dira became an executive council member in 2015 and Puteri Umno’s Jasin chief in 2018.

       The other female candidates fielded by Umno is Datuk Kalsom Nordin (Pengkalan Batu), Tuminah Kadi @ Mohd Hasim (Pantai Kundor) and Siti Faizah Abdul Azis (Sungai Rambai).

       Pakatan Harapan will field the youngest candidate in the state polls – 21-year-old UiTM student Farzana Hayani Mohd Nasir – who will contest the Sungai Rambai seat as a PKR candidate.

       Farzana, better known as Nana, is also the Melaka PKR Srikandi chief.

       On nomination eve, she was spotted at Pakatan’s election office.

       “God willing, we will win this,” she tweeted.

       Gerakan is fielding two women: Fong Khai Ling in Kota Laksamana and Clarice Chan Ming Wang in Banda Hilir.

       Fong, 27, has been active in social activities and has hosted shows since her university days, and holds a Master’s in Business Management from the University of Sunderland.

       Chan, 42, is the Melaka Perikatan Nasional Wanita chief and also the state Gerakan Wanita chief.

       She has also been socially active, being involved in the Malacca Club and Malacca Theatre Group.