Ab Rauf Yusoh and Dr Akmal Saleh are among the BN leaders who will defend their seats in the Nov 14 Melaka state election.PETALING JAYA: Melaka Barisan Nasional (BN) chairman Ab Rauf Yusoh will defend his Tanjung Bidara seat in the Nov 14 Melaka state election.

Umno Youth chief Dr Akmal Saleh, meanwhile, will defend his Merlimau seat despite previously hinting that he might contest another seat.

Akmal triggered speculation about his electoral prospects when he asked in a Facebook post whether he should contest in Serkam or Sungai Rambai after thanking voters in Merlimau for electing him in the 2021 state polls and giving him his first term in office.

He was elected Merlimau assemblyman in 2021 with a majority of 3,248 votes, retaining the Umno stronghold for BN.