Malaysia sets Nov 14 for Melaka state election in new test for PM Anwar
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The Melaka state assembly was dissolved on Sept 23 to pave the way for state polls.
PHOTO: ST FILE
MELAKA – Malaysia will hold the Melaka state election on Nov 14 in what is set to be a fresh test for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s Pakatan Harapan coalition, following setbacks in two state polls earlier in 2026.
Candidates will file their nominations on Oct 31, kicking off a two-week campaign period, the Election Commission said on Oct 7.
Anwar is under pressure following bruising defeats in elections in the states of Johor and Negeri Sembilan, both of which border Melaka.
The Barisan Nasional coalition, which is part of his federal administration even as it competes with Pakatan for state votes, won 21 of Melaka’s seats in the last election, compared with just five for Pakatan.
Barisan, which controlled Malaysia’s government for six decades until 2018, also made gains in the other state elections earlier in 2026.
That was partly due to its electoral alliance with Perikatan Nasional, a coalition led by the country’s biggest Islamist party.
The state elections are all leading up to a national vote that is due by early 2028, with Anwar weighing calling elections in the second half of 2027.
The Prime Minister will unveil Malaysia’s 2027 spending plan on Oct 9.
Pakatan’s seat count dwindled sharply in both the Johor and Negeri Sembilan polls, retaining only 19 of its previously held 29 seats across both states.
Rival blocs led by Barisan then went on to form supermajority governments in both states. BLOOMBERG