The Malaysian Insight

MAS Ermieyati Samsudin is Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) choice for chief minister, if the coalition wins the Malacca elections, pact chairman Muhyiddin Yassin said today.

At a press conference, he said this is the first time in the nation’s history that a woman has been proposed as chief minister.

“The PN leadership has agreed to nominate Mas Ermieyati as the candidate for PN chief minister in Malacca,” he said at a press conference.

“This, I reckon, is the first time in the history of the country that a highly qualified, professional, young woman, with a lot of experience, is offered as a chief ministerial candidate.

“I also know that it has never existed in our country but it has been proven that the PN always gives opportunities to anyone regardless of gender… to hold important positions like this,” said the Bersatu president.

Mas Ermieyati will contest in the Tanjung Bidara state seat, and faces a tough challenge from Malacca Umno chief Ab Rauf Yusoh and Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate Zainal Hassan.

She is also the Masjid Tanah MP, a seat which she won while she was in Umno. She defected to Bersatu after the last general election.

She is presently a deputy minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in charge of Parliament and Law.

When asked if the people of Malacca would accept PN’s decision, Muhyiddin said the people there only wanted clean leaders regardless of gender.

“We hope so because I have already gone down to meet the people, and the voters in Malacca have enough political knowledge in wanting a credible leader.

“They don’t talk about men to women, they just want clean leaders. I think this is a candidate who is well mannered and respectful, and the people of Malacca know her.

“I hope they will be open to accepting her as the CM candidate,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mas Ermieyati told reporters that she appreciated PN’s decision and that it meant a lot to women nationwide.

“I’m thankful for the opportunity and hope to do my best if I win,” she said.

Previously, Barisan Nasional had named former chief minister Sulaiman Md Ali as its CM candidate while Pakatan Harapan had named another former chief minister, Adly Zahari from Amanah, as its choice.

Malacca will hold its election this Saturday. – November 18, 2021.