Melaka to keep running as usual as state assembly heads for dissolution

Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh says his administration will run tomorrow as the government turns caretaker after assembly dissolution. — Bernama pic

First Published: Tuesday, 22 Sep 2026 5:30 PM MYT

MELAKA, Sept 22 — Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh has given assurance that the Melaka state government’s affairs will continue to run as usual even though the Melaka State Legislative Assembly (DUN) is dissolved effective tomorrow.

He said the state administration, public service delivery, public welfare affairs, security and the government’s daily services will continue to operate as usual.

“Following this dissolution, the state government will carry out its responsibilities in the capacity of a caretaker government until a new state government is formed after the election process.

“Throughout this period, our priority is to ensure that the state administration remains orderly, services to the people are uninterrupted, and the people’s interests continue to be safeguarded,” he said.

Ab Rauf said this at a press conference when announcing the dissolution date of the Melaka DUN, which will take effect tomorrow, at the Seri Negeri Auditorium here today.

He said all departments, state government agencies and local authorities will continue to carry out their respective duties and responsibilities professionally based on prevailing laws, regulations and governance.

“The state will continue to be well-administered, services to the people will continue to run, and the interests of the people will remain our priority,” he said.

Asked whether he would retain existing candidates from Barisan Nasional (BN) and cooperation partners from other parties to participate in this democratic arena, Ab Rauf said it would be announced later.

“I don’t want to answer that now, let’s wait. I can’t reveal that because we will take many factors into account. So I can’t announce today — the day I dissolve [the assembly] — who the candidates will be... that wouldn’t be fair to me.

“I will announce that later when we have finalised all discussions,” he said.

The 15th Melaka State Election (PRN) was held on Nov 20, 2021, after four state assemblymen (Adun) supporting the government withdrew their support for the leadership of former Chief Minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali on Oct 4, 2021.

The four assemblymen were former Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron (BN-Sungai Udang), Datuk Nor Azman Hassan (BN-Pantai Kundor), Datuk Noor Effandi Ahmad (Bersatu-Telok Mas) and Datuk Norhizam Hassan Baktee (Independent-Pengkalan Batu).

In that state election, Barisan Nasional (BN) won 21 seats — with UMNO securing 18 seats, MCA two and MIC one — thereby forming the state government with a more than two-thirds majority.

Pakatan Harapan (PH) won five seats through DAP with four seats and Amanah one, while Perikatan Nasional (PN) won two seats.

However, political dynamics led to seat changes after Rembia assemblyman from BN, Datuk Muhammad Jailani Khamis, joined PAS, while Bemban assemblyman from Bersatu, Dr Mohd Yadzil Yaakub, was expelled from the party and became an independent assemblyman while remaining in the opposition bloc.

This caused BN to lose one seat but it still maintained a majority in the DUN with 20 seats, thus not affecting the state government’s administration.

The term of the Melaka DUN was set to end on Dec 27. — Bernama