Lack Of Clarity Around Melaka State Election After UMNO Infighting Boils Over

Melaka is preparing for an election after the state government collapsed this week, following the decision by four rebel UMNO lawmakers to withdraw support for the Chief Minister.

• The collapse of the Melaka administration exposed persistent fractures within Malaysia's largest political party UMNO. Party infighting underpinned a major political crisis earlier this year, which toppled the Muhyiddin Cabinet. Bersatu's Muhyiddin faced pressure from a hostile faction of UMNO and was forced to resign as Premier.
• Local media reported that 15 Melaka lawmakers, including 11 from the main opposition Pakatan Harapan alliance, plan to seek an audience with the King as soon as today and intend to ask the monarch to help resolve the political crisis in Melaka. Pakatan Harapan Presidential Council said Wednesday that Melaka Governor's decision to dissolve the state assembly was based on erroneous advice by the freshly toppled Chief Minister, arguing that the Governor should have sought an alternative legislative majority instead.
• Melaka UMNO pledged to abide by the decision of top party executives on whether to cooperate with Bersatu in the upcoming election.
• Despite a legal obligation to hold the election within 60 days from the dissolution of parliament, federal authorities may put the poll on hold owing to public health concerns. Many fear a potential repeat of a scenario which unfolded in the wake of last year's Sabah election, which was followed by a spike in Covid-19 cases. Several regional industry groups have urged the authorities to postpone the election.