AYER KEROH: Perikatan Nasional will be the only coalition that will announce its chief ministerial candidate after the Melaka polls, said Datuk Wan Saiful Wan Jan (pic).

       The Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia information chief said that the coalition would leave it to the wisdom of its top leadership.

       “Perikatan’s focus is to win the state polls first. Then only will we discuss and announce our chief minister-designate,” he said yesterday.

       He added that discussions had already started, but it was inappropriate to make the announcement prematurely.

       “We will leave the naming of the chief minister post to our top leadership. It’s not appropriate for us to announce it here,” he said.

       Both Barisan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan had announced their chief minister candidate and manifesto on Wednesday.

       He also did not dismiss the possibility of picking the first female Melaka chief minister if it wins the state election.

       “As I mentioned earlier, it is best that we wait until after the election before announcing our chief minister candidate,” said Wan Saiful.

       “Once we know who wins and is together within the coalition and the state assembly, we will pick the best candidate for Melaka.”

       He was asked to explain the significance of fielding Masjid Tanah MP Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin in the Tanjung Bidara state seat and whether she will be picked as Perikatan’s chief minister-designate.

       Speculation had been rife that Mas Ermieyati is among those who had been shortlisted as Perikatan’s chief minister-designate if the coalition wins the state election.

       The deputy minister is in a three-cornered fight in the Tanjung Bidara seat against Melaka Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh and Pakatan’s candidate.Wan Saiful noted that Perikatan’s manifesto for Melaka will also be announced “in a few days”.

       On its preparedness to cooperate with Barisan to form a state government, he said its focus would be to gain a clear majority first in the state election to ensure Perikatan can form a stable state government.

       “We hope the people of Melaka learnt its lesson previously and pick Perikatan Nasional so we can form a strong state government,” he said.

       “If that cannot happen, we will wait after the elections. We cannot speculate now but I hope that the rakyat will give Perikatan a chance.”

       The EC set Nov 8 as the nomination day for the Melaka state election and Nov 20 for polling.

       The Melaka State Legislative Assembly has 28 seats, and the electoral roll contains 495,196 voters.