Ab Rauf Yusoh says DAP free to choose any number of Melaka seats
Chief Minister Ab Rauf Yusoh stated that the Democratic Action Party can decide whether to contest 10 or 20 seats in the upcoming Melaka election, pending any inter-party negotiations.
Ab Rauf Yusoh, who heads both the Melaka state government and Barisan Nasional, told attendees at the Powering Knowledge Stem Discovery @ School 2026 launch that the Democratic Action Party may contest anywhere from ten to twenty seats in the state election, but any final distribution will depend on negotiations between parties. He clarified that he has no power to prevent DAP from announcing its contesting plans. DAP state chairman Khoo Poay Tiong indicated that the party could aim for the Duyong constituency, a seat currently occupied by BN's Mohd Noor Helmy Abdul Halem.
The seat was narrowly lost by DAP's Damian Yeo Shen Li in 2021 and was previously won by DAP in 2018 with a sizable margin. The chief minister reiterated that the political arena remains open for all parties to voice their strategies, subject to any forthcoming agreements.
How the sides frame it
LOW AGREEMENTCenter coverage emphasizes the demographic and strategic challenges for DAP in a three-way race, while right-leaning coverage highlights the chief minister’s statement that DAP is free to contest any number of seats and that the political arena is open.
CENTER
Centrist coverage frames the story around the three-way contest and UMNO’s strong Malay base in Melaka, stressing demographic factors that could hinder DAP.
RIGHT
Right-leaning coverage frames the story around the chief minister’s declaration that DAP can choose any number of seats and that there is no power to block its plans.
The right emphasises
- DAP may contest anywhere from ten to twenty seats
- the chief minister has no power to prevent DAP’s contesting plans
- the political arena remains open for all parties
