ALOR GAJAH, Oct 31 (Bernama) -- Machap Jaya is set for a three-cornered fight in the 16th Melaka State Election, with candidates from Pakatan Harapan (PH), Barisan Nasional (BN) and Parti Bersama Malaysia (Bersama) vying for the seat.
The contest is expected to be keenly fought between two former state executive councillor members, incumbent Datuk Ngwe Hee Sem (BN) and Datuk Ginie Lim Siew Lin (PH), with B. Prasanth Kumar (Bersama) also in the fray.
Returning officer Muhammad Hamka Dollah announced the candidates at the nomination centre at Kompleks Japerun Machap Jaya in Bukit Bulat after nominations closed at 10 am today.
“After reviewing all the nomination papers, I have decided that none should be rejected,” he said.
Lim was the first to submit her nomination papers at 9.05 am, followed by Prasanth Kumar at 9.13 am and Ngwe at 9.19 am.
Lim’s arrival at the nomination centre drew attention as she was accompanied by three party leaders holding ministerial posts, including Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, who is also PH secretary-general and PKR vice-president currently performing the duties of the party's deputy president.
Also accompanying her were Human Resources Minister and PKR vice-president Datuk Seri R. Ramanan, Education Minister and PKR Women's Wing chief Datuk Seri Fadhlina Sidek, and PKR Central Leadership Council member Dr Maszlee Malik.
MCA secretary-general Datuk Chong Sin Woon accompanied Ngwe to the nomination centre.
Lim won the Machap Jaya seat in the 2018 state election with a majority of 1,336 votes, defeating Koh Nai Kwong (BN) and Wan Zahidi Wan Ismail (PAS) in a three-cornered contest.
In the 2021 state election, Ngwe won the seat with 3,732 votes, securing a majority of 938 votes over PH candidate Law Bing Haw in a five-cornered contest. Lim did not contest that election.
Polling day is set for Nov 14, with early voting on Nov 10.
For the latest updates on the 16th Melaka State Election, visit https://election.bernama.com/prn/melaka/2026/.
-- BERNAMA