Umno’s Dr Akmal Saleh has hinted at leaving his seat in Merlimau to contest in Serkam or Sungai Rambai at the upcoming Melaka state polls.PETALING JAYA: Dr Akmal Saleh may be plotting to contest the Jasin parliamentary seat in the next general election (GE16), analysts say, after the Umno Youth chief hinted at not defending his Merlimau state seat in the upcoming Melaka polls.

Syaza Shukri of the International Islamic University Malaysia said contesting in the state seats of Sungai Rambai or Serkam would allow Akmal to broaden his support base across Jasin, potentially strengthening his prospects for a parliamentary bid in GE16.

Merlimau, Serkam, Sungai Rambai, Rim and Bemban are all state seats within the Jasin federal constituency.