41 independent candidates to contest in state elections

The race for 245 state assembly seats that will be contested in six state elections on Aug 12, has drawn the participation of 41 independent candidates.

Based on the Election Commission (EC)’s nomination data, the number of independent candidates contesting in Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Penang, Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu is fewer than 10 percent of the overall 570 candidates.

Kedah, Negeri Sembilan, and Selangor recorded the highest number of independent candidates with 10 candidates each, followed by Kelantan and Penang with five each.

Only one independent candidate has come forward to contest in Terengganu - Che Harun Kamariah Abdullah who will be contesting the Hulu Besut seat.

There are also several independent candidates competing for the same state assembly seats, among them in Kedah and Negeri Sembilan.

The Lunas seat in Kedah will see a five-cornered fight with the highest number of independent candidates announced - N Rajendran, SS Pannir Selvam, and S Arichindarem.

They are set to face Pakatan Harapan/PKR candidate Shamsul Anuar Abdullah and Perikatan Nasional/Bersatu candidate Khairul Anuar Ramli.

The Ayer Hangat seat has two independent candidates - Safwan Hanif Shafie and Zulfadli Mohd Yusof - who will face PN-Bersatu’s Shamsillah Siru and BN-Umno’s Hisham Suhaily Othman.

Another state seat that has more than one independent candidate contesting is the hot seat of Sikamat in Negeri Sembilan, where incumbent Aminuddin Harun, who is also the caretaker menteri besar, is representing Harapan in a four-cornered battle.

Aminuddin is challenged by Ahmad Raihan Muhamad Hilal (PN-Bersatu) and two independent candidates, Bujang Abu and Mohammed Hafiz Baharudin.

Nilai is another seat in Negeri Sembilan with more than one independent candidate, where incumbent J Arul Kumar (Harapan-DAP) is being challenged by Gan Chee Biow (PN-Bersatu) and two independent candidates, Omar Mohd Isa and Yessu Samuel.

- Bernama