CM post not ‘inducement’ to lead BN to victory, says Ab Rauf

Melaka Barisan Nasional chairman Ab Rauf Yusoh says his focus in the upcoming state election is not on securing another term as chief minister, but on ensuring the coalition wins a strong mandate from voters.

Ab Rauf says his push for BN to retain control of the state was to ensure political continuity.

“Reappointment is not my inducement for remaining in politics. What is important is that we work hard to win.

“It is pointless to fantasise (about posts) when we fail to win at elections,” he told FMT.

Ab Rauf was responding after Barisan Nasional chairman Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said he would be nominated for the chief minister’s post if the coalition retains power in Melaka in the Nov 14 state election.

Ab Rauf was named Melaka’s 13th chief minister in March, 2023, succeeding Sulaiman Md Ali.

The Melaka Umno chief also said he will not let overconfidence get the better of him when he defends his Tanjung Bidara seat.

“I believe that the party’s ability and my experience cannot be matched by others.”

The Malay-majority seat is considered an Umno stronghold. However, in the last state election, Ab Rauf retained it with a slim majority of 364 votes, after polling 3,559 votes in a three-cornered contest.

Bersatu’s Mas Ermieyati Samsudin, came in second, garnering 3,195 votes.

This time round, Ab Rauf will be involved in a straight fight with Pakatan Harapan’s Yunazri Mustamiri.

Ab Rauf said big names do not automatically benefit constituents, especially if they were not locals.

There was a need to understand the community’s needs and their way of life, he added.

“Before becoming an elected representative, one must first be one with the community they intend to represent.”

And this is an edge that Ab Rauf believes he has over his challenger.

Born and raised in Tanjung Bidara by a rubber tapper and a housewife, Ab Rauf said he has a good insight into the needs of the locals and the changes he has to bring about.

“I will leverage my experience to usher in greater development, especially for the youth,” he said.

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