by contesting in both Parliamentary and State seats. This has the effect of doubling their chances of success, and in the event of Pakatan taking over Putrajaya, might pose a problem of choice to some in having to decide whether to become a federal minister or state chief minister or menteri besar, if not, at least a state exco member.
Though the main aim is to achieve success at federal level, the odds are heavily against Pakatan because of the unfair advantages of BN's incumbency and their shameless use of government funds, machinery and BN-controlled public institutions. But many people are still optimistic that what happened in 2008 could similarly happen in 2013, but in a much bigger way.
Leaders of DAP who are contesting in two constituencies:
Penang: Lim Guan Eng (DAP - Secretary-General): P 43 Bagan (defending) and N 23 Air Puteh (defending); caretaker Chief Minister of Penang;
Perak: Ngeh Koo Ham (DAP Perak Chief): P 68 Beruas (defending) and N 50 Sitiawan (defending);
Nga Kor Ming (DAP Youth Chief): P 60 Taiping (defending) and N 29 Kepayang (moved from N 38 Pantai Remis)
Perak is rather unusual in that Nizar Jamaluddin became MB for only 11 months, his tenure was unceremoniously ended by the power grab by BN. Later he won a parliamentary by-election at P 59 Bukit Gantang as a result of his popularity ironically as victim of the BN conspiracy. For some reason, he is only allowed to contest a state seat (N 14 Changkat Jering, moved from N 51 Pasir Panjang), and he is expected to be MB of Perak again if Pakatan wins again.
Leaders of PKR who are contesting in two constituencies:
Selangor: Mohammed Azmin Ali (PKR - Deputy President): P 98 Gombak (defending) and N 19 Bukit Antarabangsa (defending);
Khalid Ibrahim (PKR - Treasurer-General): P 124 Bandar Tun Razak (defending) and N 46 Pelabuhan Kelang (moved from Ijok); caretaker Menteri Besar of Selangor;
I could be wrong, but I have yet to find other leaders of PKR contesting in both parliamentary and state seats. This could be due to a deliberate attempt at playing down the influence of Anwar since both father and daughter, Nurul Izzah, are contesting in parliamentary seats in Permatang Pauh, Penang and Lembah Pantai, Selangor respectively. There were calls for wife, Wan Azizah to contest a state seat in Selangor so that she could be Menteri Besar. But this might create accusations of nepotism and family dynasty.
DAP's Teresa Kok Suh Sim contested in two seats and won both P122 Seputeh (with highest majority) and N 30 Kinrara. But for some reasons, she was dropped from contesting a state seat. She was Selangor State Exco member. Many people feel she has been unfairly treated, considering her seniority, huge success as a winnable candidate and tireless efforts when DAP was struggling. But it could be due to inter-party arrangement, beyond the control of her own party leaders.
Leaders of PAS who are contesting in two constituencies:
Terengganu: Hadi Awang (PAS - President): P Marang (defending) and N 19 Ru Rendang;
Johor: Salahuddin Ayub (PAS - Vice-President): P 161 Pulai (moved from P 24 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan) and N 49 Nusajaya (first time contesting two seats); and
P 125 FT Putrajaya: Husam Musa (PAS - Vice-President) (first time contesting two seats; was MP of P 24 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan in 2004); and Kelantan: N 17 Salor (defending);
Despite scepticism, I believe Nurul could overcome the odds to defeat Raja Nong Chik in Lembah Pantai; Husam Musa could defeat Tengku Adnan in Putrajaya; and Lim Kit Siang could defeat Ghani Othman in Gelang Patah. These high-profile examples are just to show the winds of change could be blowing in favour of Pakatan.
Ordinary people are going out of the way to vote. Many believe this is the best chance for Pakatan to win... it is now or never. Ini kalilah.
They are willing to come back from overseas or have registered as postal voters; willing to travel from Singapore and Thailand; or willing to go back to their respective hometowns to vote. Someone's girlfriend actually persuaded him to go for training at Malaysiakini. She even bought train tickets for him and his siblings and cousin as soon as the election date was known. I still remember someone who felt left out because he did not register for the last GE, when he realised most of his friends were planning to return to Ipoh to vote. Perak fell to Pakatan as a result, which surprised even their leaders who seemed unprepared initially, for their new roles!
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