The upcoming elections in six states will see a number of incumbent state representatives missing from the polls.
A number of them were veteran state lawmakers, making way for fresh blood and young candidates as the parties seek to rejuvenate and remain relevant.
In SELANGOR, among the notable incumbents not seeking re-election is Bandar Baru Klang state assemblyperson Teng Chang Khim.
The six-term state representative made his electoral debut in Bukit Gasing in the 1995 polls and then served as Sg Pinang and Bandar Baru Klang assemblyperson.
He served under menteris besar Khalid Ibrahim, Azmin Ali and Amirudin Shari since May 2013 as a state exco and as speaker in the 9th Selangor State Legislative Assembly from April 2008 to May 2013.
A scion of the Teng family, Chang Khim is the older brother of former Penang Gerakan chairperson and three-term state assemblyperson Teng Chang Yeow. Chang Khim and Chang Yeow’s uncle was the former MCA Tebrau MP Teng Boon Soon.
The other veteran DAP leader who is not contesting is Ronnie Liu. The one-term Sungai Pelek and Pandamaran firebrand state representative retired and eventually said he does not want to be involved in “partisan politics” anymore.
Meanwhile, V Ganabatirau of DAP and Rodziah Ismail from PKR will not defend their respective state seats of Kota Kemuning and Batu Tiga.
They moved up the elected hierarchy in last year’s 15th general election (GE15) when Ganabatirau was elected as the Klang MP while Rodziah won the Ampang parliamentary constituency.
Following in the duo’s footsteps is Taman Templer state assemblyperson Mohd Sany Hamzan, who has since been elevated as the Hulu Langat MP in GE15.
Meanwhile, two Amanah lawmakers who joined PKR will not defend their respective seats.
Formerly of Amanah, Sabak assemblyperson Ahmad Mustain Othman and his Meru counterpart Mohd Fakhrulrazi Mokhtar jumped ship to join the fellow Pakatan Harapan component party.
Both have indicated that they will back Amanah’s candidate in their erstwhile constituencies instead.
Veteran lawmakers Saari Sungib and Siti Mariah Mahmud, both from Amanah, will also no longer be part of the electoral tapestry.
Saari, a three-term state lawmaker for Hulu Kelang, is standing aside due to ill health.
Meanwhile, Siti Mariah, the Seri Serdang representative, is making way for fresh faces.
The three are Teratai assemblyperson Lai Wai Chong from Warisan, and Haniza Mohamed Talha and Daroyah Alwi of PBM.
In a similar predicament are Batang Kali’s Harumaini Omar; Jeram’s Mohd Shair Rosli, and Kuang’s Salehuddin Amiruddin. The trio are sitting out after their party - Pejuang decided to sit out the polls.
In KELANTAN, among the most prominent incumbents not to defending their seats is Bersatu’s Air Lanas representative Mustapa Mohamed
The former international trade and industry minister said he has retired but remains the Jeli MP.
Following in his footsteps is Umno’s three-term Kok Lanas assemblyperson Md Alwi Che Ahmad, who wanted to make way for new blood.
Joining the duo on the sidelines in the east coast state is PAS’ longest-serving state assemblyperson Anuar Tan Abdullah.
Having represented the Kota Lama seat since 1999, he is retiring from active politics, citing health as the reason behind his departure.
Meanwhile, Demit assemblyperson Mumtaz Md Nawi will not be defending her seat after being elected as the Tumpat MP in GE15.
Another prominent PAS leader who will not see action is central committee member Nik Mohammad Abduh Nik Abdul Aziz, who declined offers to contest two seats in the upcoming state polls.
Two Umno elected representatives will also see no action after being dropped by the party.
Two-term Gual Ipoh assemblyperson Bakri Mustapha and four-term Kuala Balah veteran Abd Aziz Derashid will be sitting out after being dropped by the BN-backbone party.
In TERENGGANU, Bukit Tunggal state elected representative Alias Razak will also sit out the polls.
After being elected as the Kuala Nerus MP in last year’s general election, he will not be defending his state seat.
In NEGERI SEMBILAN, Senaling incumbent Adnan Abu Hassan will not defend his seat after being elected as Kuala Pilah MP in GE15.
In a similar situation is Gemencheh assemblyperson Mohd Isam Mohd Isa, who was elected as Tampin MP last year.
Meanwhile, MIC’s Jeram Padang two-term incumbent L Manickam will sit out the polls after his party decided not to participate in the elections.
MCA had similarly announced that it will not be contesting in the upcoming state polls.
Another two-term elected representative who will not contest this time around is DAP’s Rahang assemblyperson, Mary Josephine Pritam Singh, who opted to retire.
Also not seeing action this time around is PKR’s Sri Tanjung representative M Ravi.
In addition, two former state exco’s will also not see action this time around.
Ampangan’s Mohamad Rafie Abdul Malek and Pilah assemblyperson Mohamad Nazaruddin Sabtu will also be missing from the hustings.
In KEDAH, two prominent state lawmakers will be among six assemblypersons not seeking re-election.
PKR’s Gurun state assemblyperson Johari Abdul will not defend his seat. This was after he was appointed as the Dewan Rakyat speaker.
The other political veteran not seeking re-election is Umno’s four-term Sungai Tiang assemblyperson Suraya Yaacob, who resigned from her state executive councillor post last October.
Also not seeking reelection is former Kedah state assembly speaker Johari Bulat. He had indicated that he would make way for new blood.
Two others - BN’s Guar Chempedak elected representative Ku Abdul Rahman Ku Ismail and Lunas lawmaker Azman Nasrudin from Bersatu will not be contesting this time after being promoted.
Ku Rahman was elected as the Kubang Pasu MP, whereas Azman was elected as the Pendang MP in GE15.
Another political personality who will not contest this time around is Pejuang president Mukhriz Mahathir, leaving his Jitra seat undefended after his party decided to skip the polls.
Meanwhile, in PENANG, caretaker deputy chief minister II P Ramasamy and DAP Women chief Chong Eng have been dropped as candidates in the Perai and Padang Lalang constituencies, respectively.
Incumbent Phee Boon Poh is also making way for his daughter to contest in the Sungai Puyu seat.
Syerleena Abdul Rashid will not defend her Seri Delima seat after being elected as Bukit Bendera MP in the general election last year.
Meanwhile, PKR’s Home Minister Saifuddin Ismail Nasution will not defend his Pantai Jerejak seat.
Another PKR state representative who will not see any action is two-term incumbent Penanti assemblyperson Norlela Ariffin, whom the party dropped.
Selangor, Penang, Negeri Sembilan, Kelantan, Terengganu, and Kedah will go to polls on Aug 12. - Mkini
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.