Adly Zahari to be Pakatan’s chief minister candidate if coalition wins Melaka

Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari (centre) will be named Pakatan Harapan’s candidate for Chief Minister if the coalition succeeds in forming the state government following the 16th Melaka State Election on November 14. — Bernama pic

First Published: Sunday, 01 Nov 2026 3:19 PM MYT

KAJANG, Nov 1 — Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari will be named Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) candidate for Chief Minister if the coalition succeeds in forming the state government following the 16th Melaka State Election on November 14.

PH Election director Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari said Adly, a former Melaka Chief Minister, was the best candidate for the position.

“Adly is the best candidate (for Chief Minister), along with a few others. However, as of now, there is a consensus to name Adly as the candidate, provided we secure a majority or are entrusted with the mandate,” he told reporters here today.

Amirudin, who is also Selangor Menteri Besar, told reporters this after the closing of the National-Level Hawkers and Small Traders Day Carnival (HPPK) 2026 by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

In the election, Adly, the incumbent Bukit Katil assemblyman, faces a four-cornered contest against Perikatan Nasional (PN) candidate Ridzuan Sarif, Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama) candidate Dr Aliza Che Amran, and independent candidate Abu Bakar Sabudin.

In the 15th Melaka State Election, Adly, who is also an Amanah vice-president, won the seat with a majority of 1,057 votes, defeating three other candidates — Datuk Hasnoor Sdg Husin of Barisan Nasional (BN), Muhammad Al Afiz Yahya of PN, and independent candidate Abdul Hamid.

Elaborating, Amirudin, who is also a PKR vice-president, said PH was confident of mounting a strong challenge in the state election following the conclusion of the nomination process yesterday.

The Election Commission has set November 14 as polling day for the 16th Melaka State Election, while early voting is on November 10.

For the latest updates on the 16th Melaka State Election, visit https://election.bernama.com/prn/melaka/2026/. — Bernama