The candidates: (From left) Mohamad, Reezal Merican and Mahdzir.
KUALA LUMPUR: A minister and two former ministers are leading Barisan Nasional’s charge in the six state elections.
They are Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan, former housing and local government minister Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican and former education minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid.
They are among a handful of party heavyweights that Barisan will be fielding in the Selangor, Penang, Negri Sembilan, Terengganu, Kelantan and Kedah polls that are scheduled on Aug 12.
Barisan chairman Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said 62% out of the 107 candidates announced last night will consist of new faces.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also the Umno president, said that only 18% are incumbents, whereas nearly 20% of them consist of those who had contested before, but chose to offer themselves again.
“This is proof that there is continuity between old and new faces,” he said at the coalition’s candidate announcement at World Trade Centre Kuala Lumpur.
Ahmad Zahid also said Barisan’s candidates will consist of many hopeful youth and females.
“A total of 87% of our candidates have high academic qualifications,” he added.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim will be announcing PKR’s candidates at an event in Shah Alam today.
Ahmad Zahid said Barisan wanted to provide stability and will help form state governments that are aligned with the Federal Government if its candidates win in the state elections.
“I appeal to all voters in the six states that on Aug 12, please choose Barisan that reflects the real face of Malaysia,” he added.
In Selangor, the coalition announced 12 candidates, including its state liaison chief Datuk Megat Zulkarnain Omardin in the Gombak Setia seat while Suhakam commissioner Datuk Hasnal Rezua Merican Habib Merican will be fielded in Kuang.
In Negri Sembilan, Mohamad, who is also Umno deputy president, will be defending his Rantau seat, while state party chief Datuk Seri Jalaluddin Alias will be making a comeback in Pertang, a seat he held from 2013 until 2018.
Former Negri Sembilan mentri besar Tan Sri Mohd Isa Abdul Samad’s son, Mohd Najib, will be fielded in Bagan Pinang.
Isa Samad’s wife Puan Sri Bibi Sharliza Mohd Khalid will contest in Juasseh.
In Penang, Reezal Merican will be making a comeback by contesting in Bertam.
In Kedah, Mahdzir, who is also Kedah Umno liaison chief, is among the party’s 27 candidates.
The former Umno vice-president will be contesting in the Pedu state seat.
Barisan announced that it will be fielding Datuk Mohamad Khizri Abu Kassim, a newcomer, in the Jeneri state seat to take on Kedah caretaker Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.
Other seats that Barisan will contest in Kedah are Ayer Hangat, Ayer Hitam, Bukit Kayu Hitam, Bukit Lada and Anak Bukit.
In Terengganu, two former mentris besar and a former federal deputy minister will be among the candidates in the state.
Former mentris besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Said and Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman will be contesting the Kijal and Seberang Takir seats respectively.
Former deputy minister Datuk Seri Jailani Johari will contest in Ajil.
In Kelantan, Barisan will field a newcomer, Nasrul Hadi Kamaruzaman, in its stronghold Air Lanas state seat.
Meanwhile, at a press conference, Mohamad Hasan said Umno has yet to name a candidate for one more seat in Terengganu as they are still screening proposed names.
