Stiff contest in Kedah, mostly three-cornered fights
ALOR SETAR, April 28 (Bernama) -- The 14th General Election (GE14) in Kedah would see stiff contests in all the 15 parliamentary constituencies and 36 state seats, after the candidates' nomination process ended today.
Almost all the parliamentary and state seats in the state would be having three-cornered contests dominated by BN, PAS and Pakatan Harapan.
For parliamentary seats, only Pendang and Sungai Petani would be having strong four-cornered fights.
The incumbent in the Pendang Parliamentary constituency Datuk Othman Abdul from BN would be challenged by Awang Hashim (PAS), Wan Saifulruddin Wan Jan (PKR-PPBM) and independent candidate, Abdul Malik Manaf while in the Sungai Petani Parliament, BN's new face, Datuk Shahanim Mohamad Yusoff would be challenged by Datuk Johari Abdul (PKR-Keadilan).
Two more challengers in the parliamentary seat would be PAS candidate, Sharir Long and Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) candidate P. Sritharan.
The incumbent in the seat of focus, the Langkawi Parliamentary constituency Datuk Ir Nawawi Ahmad would be opposed by Pakatan Harapan chairman Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad representing PKR-PPBM and PAS' candidate, Zubir Ahmad.
In addition, the seats being held by several Cabinet ministers and deputy ministers, namely, in Padang Terap, Jerai, Kubang Pasu and Jerlun would also be seeing three-cornered fights.
In Padang Terap, Education Minister Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid would be challenged by PAS' candidate, Mohamad Azam Abd Majid @ Abd Aziz and Mohd Khairizal Khazali from PKR-Amanah while Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Jamil Khir Baharom would be challenged by Sabri Azit of PAS and PKR-PPBM candidate Akhramsyah Muammar Ubaidah Sanusi.
Two deputy ministers, namely, Deputy Finance Minister Datuk Othman Aziz would be fiercely contested by Pakatan Harapan vice-president Datuk Seri Mukhriz Tun Mahathir (PKR-PPBM) and PAS' candidate Abd Ghani Ahmad.
Deputy Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Johari Baharum would be challenged by PKR-PPBM candidate Datuk Amiruddin Hamzah and PAS' woman candidate Norhafiza Fadzil.
Meanwhile, 29 state seats would also record three-cornered competitions at Ayer Hangat, Kota Siputeh, Ayer Hitam, Bukit Kayu Hitam, Jitra, Kuala Nerang, Pedu, Bukit Pinang, Derga, Suka Menanti, Alor Mengkudu, Anak Bukit, Kubang Rotan, Pengkalan Kundor, Tokai, Sungai Tiang, Sungai Limau, Guar Chempedak and Belantek.
The others were Bukit Selambau, Tanjung Dawai, Pantai Merdeka, Bayu, Kupang, Kuala Ketil, Merbau Pulas, Lunas and Bandar Baharu.
Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah would be contesting for the sixth term in the Suka Menanti seat (old name Bakar Bata) and would be opposed by PAS candidate Mohd Sabri Omar and Zamri Yusuf from PKR-Keadilan.
Four-cornered fights would involve six state seats, namely, Kuah, Bukit Lada, Kota Darul Aman, Gurun, Sidam and Kulim which showed the participations of three independent candidates in Kuah, Bukit Lada and Gurun and three PRM candidates in Kota Darul Aman, Sidam and Kulim.
The seat with the most participation of candidates was Bakar Arang in the parliamentary constituency of Sungai Petani, namely, with five candidates involving BN candidate Ko Hung Weng opposing its incumbent Ooi Tze Min of PKR-Keadilan, PAS candidate Othman Che Mee, Tan Kee Chye (PRM) and independent candidate Tan Hock Huat.
In the GE13, BN won 10 seats out of 15 parliamentary constituencies, PKR (four) and PAS (one, now PAS had no seat after Pokok Sena parliamentary seat incumbent Datuk Mahfuz Omar joined Amanah).
As for the state seat, BN had 21 seats (now 20 seats after Mukhriz joined PPBM), PAS (nine), PKR (four) and DAP (two).
-- BERNAMA
