On the eve of nomination day today, one of the biggest surprises observed is the aggressive manner in which new faces have been fielded by political parties nationwide.
Barisan Nasional (BN), a coalition that has governed Malaysia for most of its existence, has been pragmatic in its approach in the candidates chosen.
Chairman and UMNO president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi have said BN will field at least 70 percent of new faces.
After the announcement of candidates, that figure is very much true – although several candidates for some seats have not been announced.
Big names have been dropped – that speaks volumes of the ruthlessness of Ahmad Zahid in axing leaders who are not performing, at least depends on who you talk to.
Among the notable omissions were federal ministers and heavyweights Datuk Seri Shahidan Kasim, Tan Sri Annuar Musa, Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba and Datuk Halimah Sadique.
The UMNO president, who has been largely marginalised by the federal government under Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob and Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, is now exerting his full power and making a statement that he will no longer be undermined.
Other UMNO ministers must be thanking their lucky stars that they are still in the good graces of their president or at least included in his plans.
On the same night that BN announced their candidates, PN did the same. It is almost as if the two are competing for the prime-time slot on Nov 1.
PN chairman Muhyiddin announced a list of candidates which had less surprises, many incumbents were re-nominated from Bersatu and PAS.
The only high-profile omission was Jeli’s Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamad who opted to not defend his seat for health reasons. Tok Pa had won his seat on an UMNO ticket in GE14, like other defectors.
It is understood that PN candidates will be using the PAS logo in Terengganu and Kelantan.
Meanwhile, Pakatan Harapan (PH) has made separate announcements on its candidates. The Sarawak chapter released its list on Nov 1 where it named 30 out 31 of its candidates. A candidate has not been named for the Julau seat.
DAP Sarawak which suffered a dismal performance in the last Sarawak state election (PRN) is hoping that it would still be able to save face in the upcoming parliamentary polls.
It is fielding its incumbents in Bandar Kuching, Stampin, Sibu, Lanang and Mas Gading and is banking on Tony Chiew in Bintulu, Larry Jabul (Serian) and Roderick Wong (Sarikei) to deliver.
PKR Sarawak has fielded a large number of new faces – perhaps owing to the fact that the Sarawak chapter has suffered a massive wave of defections since GE14.
The biggest surprise was that it dropped two-time Miri MP Dr Michael Teo – who has been the sole PKR elected representative in Sarawak after Baru Bian, Ali Biju, Willie Mongin, See Chee How, Larry Sng and Jugah Muyang left the party.
Dr Teo, who last week was seen buying the EC nomination forms, was replaced by Angkatan Muda Keadilan Sarawak (AMK) secretary Chiew Choon Man.
PKR Sarawak along with PBK and PSB with other political minnows are largely fielding candidates who contested (and lost badly) in the last Sarawak state election.
PSB president Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh, 80, is setting his sights on the Sibu seat while PBK president Voon Lee Shan is flip-flopping whether to contest in Bandar Kuching or Stampin.
GPS, who announced its candidates on Thursday fielded 14 new faces for 31 seats with a number of heavyweights not seeking re-nomination.
Among them are Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim and Datuk Robert Lawson Chuat.
Batang Sadong incumbent Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri is swapping seats to Santubong and in her place for Batang Sadong is civil engineer Rodiyah Sapiee. Replacing Rohani in Batang Lupar is Mohamad Shafizan Kepli.
Chuat is replaced by Political Secretary to the Premier, Dr Richard Rapu. Rapu is a close aide to Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
Meanwhile, Lo Khere Chiang is fielded opposite DAP’s Chong Chieng Jen in Stampin, Eric Tay (Bandar Kuching), while SMC chairman Clarence Ting is fielded opposite Wong in Sibu, and Jeffery Phang in Miri.
GPS chairman and Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg is reportedly eyeing 26 seats out of 31.
This line-up of candidates introduced by GPS is perhaps the winning formula to retain existing seats and recapture seats that fell to the opposition in GE14.
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.
