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SHAH ALAM - Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh said the Melaka State Legislative Assembly would be dissolved tomorrow (Sept 23), paving the way for the 16th state election.
He said Yang di-Pertua Negeri Melaka Tun Dr Mohd Ali Mohd Rustam had consented to the dissolution following an audience earlier today.
"With this dissolution, the term of the 15th Melaka State Legislative Assembly comes to an end and the subsequent process will be carried out in accordance with the law and decisions of the relevant authorities.
"I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest appreciation to the Governor of Melaka for his consent and wisdom in carrying out his functions as provided for under the law," he said.
Rauf said State Assembly Speaker Datuk Ibrahim Durum had also submitted the notice of dissolution to the Election Commission (EC).
The announcement followed several developments that had intensified speculation over the dissolution, including the state executive council meeting being brought forward from its usual Wednesday schedule to Tuesday.
The Chief Minister's Office earlier invited members of the media to a special press conference at Kompleks Seri Negeri in Ayer Keroh, where Rauf made the announcement.
Once the assembly is dissolved, the EC will determine the nomination and polling dates in accordance with electoral laws.
The Melaka assembly has 28 seats and was last contested on Nov 20, 2021, when BN won 21 seats, Pakatan Harapan (PH) five and Perikatan Nasional (PN) two. The current state government's mandate had been due to expire in December.
The last election was triggered after four assemblymen withdrew their support for then chief minister Datuk Seri Sulaiman Md Ali, causing the state government to collapse. They were former Melaka chief minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron (BN-Sungai Udang), Datuk Nor Azman Hassan (BN-Pantai Kundor), Datuk Noor Effandi Ahmad (Bersatu-Telok Mas) and independent Datuk Norhizam Hassan Baktee (Pengkalan Batu).
The dissolution sets the stage for Melaka's 16th state election, with the EC expected to announce the election timetable following the formal dissolution process.
