Pakatan Harapan unveils 21 Malacca candidates, keeps seven seats open amid Bersatu talks

At a ceremony in Stadium Hang Jebat, Pakatan Harapan disclosed 21 names for the November 14 Malacca state election, while seven constituencies were left vacant pending coalition talks. Among the announced candidates were Anwar Ibrahim's political secretary Azman Abidin, former chief minister Adly Zahari defending Bukit Katil, and PKR's Federal Territories chief running in Paya Rumput against UMNO's Rais Yasin. Amanah's Rahayu Hamzah will contest Merlimau, and PKR's Ginie Lim seeks to regain Machap Jaya.

The decision on the remaining seats follows earlier speculation about a "Harapan Plus" alliance with Bersatu, which the coalition's deputy chair Khoo Poay Tiong previously denied. Malacca's last assembly comprised 21 BN members, five Harapan seats and two Bersatu seats before its dissolution. Nominations close on Oct 31, with early voting set for Nov 10.