KELEBANG (Oct 31): Melaka Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA) chief Datuk Lim Ban Hong is set for a four-cornered race as he seeks to defend the Kelebang (N.14) state seat in the upcoming Melaka state election.
Lim, who is contesting under the Barisan Nasional (BN) ticket, will face Pakatan Harapan's (PH) Farzana Hayani Mohd Nasir of PKR, Datuk Seri Mohamad Ali Mohamad of Bersatu and Young Jie Yu of Bersama.
Returning officer Ainu Nizla Kasman announced the official list of eligible candidates after nominations closed at 10am on Saturday.
Several party leaders were also seen accompanying their respective candidates, including MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong, Bersama founder Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli and PKR secretary general Datuk Fuziah Salleh.
Located along the western coast of Melaka, facing the Strait of Malacca, Kelebang is a predominantly Malay constituency, with Malay voters making up 66.9% of the electorate. Chinese voters account for 28.6%, Indians 2.3% and other communities 1.5%.
At the 2021 Melaka state election, Lim regained the Kelebang seat with a majority of 876 votes, or a 6.7% margin, in a three-way contest.
He secured 5,028 votes, defeating PKR candidate Datuk Gue Teck, who received 4,152 votes, and Perikatan Nasional's (PN) Bakri Jamaluddin, who garnered 3,884 votes.
Speaking to reporters after the nomination, Lim said he would prioritise addressing issues affecting farmers and fishermen in the constituency if re-elected.
He also said cooperation between BN and PN would bring together the parties' efforts to ensure stability, prosperity and progress in Melaka.
"That is our shared vision and mission. Barisan Nasional has always emphasised the need to bring stability and prosperity, while improving the state of Melaka," he said.