Over 90 candidates will try to redeem their dignity in state polls

More than 90 individuals or almost 16 per cent of 570 candidates contesting in the state elections comprised 'recycled' candidates or those who have lost in the 15th General Election (GE15) or other elections, previously.

Among the names who had lost in GE15 but have been nominated as a candidate in the upcoming state polls in six states is former Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali from Perikatan Nasional (PN) who has moved from contesting in the Bukit Antarabangsa state seat to Hulu Kelang.

The former investment, trade, and industry minister moved back to his hometown in Hulu Kelang after losing in the Gombak Parliament to caretaker Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari from Pakatan Harapan (PH) during GE15 with a majority of 12,729 votes.

At the Hulu Kelang State Legislative Assembly, Azmin will be contesting against PKR Women's deputy chief Juwairiya Zulkifli. The seat was previously held by PKR's Saari Sungib.

Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) Srikandi (Women's wing) chief Datuk Seri Rina Harun who lost in Sepang in the previous general election will also be contesting as a PN candidate at the Batu Tiga state seat against PH candidate, Danial Al Rashid.

In a related matter, Barisan Nasional (BN) named Selangor Umno liaison body chairman Datuk Megat Zulkarnain Omardin and his deputy Datuk Johan Abdul Aziz, who both lost in GE15, will be candidates in the Gombak Setia and Dusun Tua state seats respectively.

Megat will be contesting against incumbent Gombak Setia assemblyman, Muhammad Hilman Idham, while Johan will be facing a three-cornered fight against Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) candidate Al Hafiz Ikhwan Mohamad Asaad and PN candidate Azhar Hambali.

Universiti Malaya political analyst Associate Professor Dr Awang Azman Awang Pawi said despite losing in the previous general election, the chances for all candidates to win in their respective state seats are still wide open, as the campaign for the new state elections in six states only began last Saturday.

Awang said that the leaders of the respective parties can still achieve success and redeem their reputation if party supporters and local voters can openly accept the presence of the recycled candidates.

"For instance, I believe that Megat and Johan, respectively, have the potential to win the Gombak Setia and Dusun Tua seats if they receive solid support from PH supporters, in addition to the loyal Umno and BN supporters from before.

"However, recycled PN candidates like Azmin and Rina may face difficulties in winning the Hulu Kelang and Batu Tiga state seats because they do not have a large number of supporters and must rely on Pas supporters and machinery to secure votes in the respective areas," he told Sinar Premium.

In Penang, former housing and local government minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican is now the BN candidate contesting against the incumbent Bertam representative.

In the previous general election, Reezal who is former Kepala Batas MP, lost to PN candidate Dr Siti Mastura Muhammad with a majority of 2,867 votes in a four-cornered fight.

Furthermore, Gerakan president Datuk Dr Dominic Lau is the PN candidate contesting in the Bayan Lepas state seat.

Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid and Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) Kedah chairman Datuk Mahfuz Omar are the two prominent names being fielded by BN and PH in the Pedu and Alor Mengkudu state seats respectively.

Mahdzir, who is also the Kedah BN chairman, faces a one-on-one challenge against the PN's incumbent for Pedu, Mohd Radzi Md Amin.

Mahfuz, on the other hand, must work hard to defeat the Pas legend, Radhi Mat Din, in the Alor Mengkudu state seat.

In Terengganu, three BN warlords, including two former Menteri Besars and a former deputy minister, are among the 'recycled candidates' contesting in the current state elections.

They are Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman, who is contesting in Seberang Takir and Datuk Seri Ahmad Said in Kijal.

Another BN leader in Terengganu, who lost in GE15 but has been nominated as the BN-PH candidate to defend the Telemong seat in the upcoming state election is Datuk Rozi Mamat.

In Kelantan, PN has called back former Semerak state assemblyman Datuk Kamarudin Md Nor to defend the Air Lanas seat which was vacated by a member of the Supreme Leadership Council of Bersatu Datuk Seri Mustapha Mohamed.