By Ram Anand | Updated on Oct 07, 2026 at 06:02 AM
Malaysia will hold local elections in Malacca on Nov. 14 in what’s set to be a fresh test for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s Pakatan Harapan coalition, following setbacks in two state polls earlier this year.
Candidates will file their nominations on Oct. 31, kicking off a two-week campaign period, the Election Commission said on Wednesday.
Anwar is under pressure following bruising defeats in elections in the states of Johor and Negeri Sembilan, both of which border Malacca. The Barisan Nasional coalition, which is part of his federal administration even as it competes with Pakatan for state votes, won 21 of Malacca’s seats in the last election, compared with just five for Pakatan.
Barisan, which controlled Malaysia’s government for six decades until 2018, also made gains in the other state elections earlier this year. That was partly due to its electoral alliance with Perikatan Nasional, a coalition led by the country’s biggest Islamist party.
The state elections are all leading up to a national vote that is due by early 2028, with Anwar weighing calling elections in the second half of next year. The premier will unveil Malaysia’s 2027 spending plan on Friday.
Pakatan’s seat count dwindled sharply in both Johor and Negeri Sembilan, only retaining 19 of its previously held 29 seats across both states. Rival blocs led by Barisan went on to form supermajority governments in both states.