MELAKA: The state election will witness a battle of the behemoths with political powerhouses Barisan Nasional, Perikatan Nasional and Pakatan Harapan fielding candidates in all 28 state seats.
A total of 112 candidates will be contesting in the polls.
The crowded battlefield includes 22 Independent hopefuls as well as five candidates from neophyte Parti Bumiputra Perkasa Malaysia (Putra). There will also be one from Parti Perikatan Indian Muslim Nasional (Iman).
Analysts have identified four hot seats – Asahan, Tanjung Bidara, Paya Rumput and Pengkalan Batu – where intense campaigning is anticipated throughout the 12 days to Nov 20.
International Islamic University Malaysia political analyst Prof Dr Nik Ahmad Kamal Nik Mahmod said Asahan and Tanjung Bidara would be closely watched, where there would be a “clash of personalities”.
“First, it is between two heavyweights, namely Melaka Barisan Nasional chief Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh and Masjid Tanah MP Datuk Mas Ermieyati Samsudin.
“It’s going to be very interesting to see if Mas Ermieyati can make any inroads at a traditionally Umno stronghold.
“The second is where former Melaka chief minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron is competing,” Prof Nik Ahmad said, pointing out that the seat also hosts a multi-cornered contest.
“Idris Haron is also a former Melaka chief minister, has a good reputation and strong grassroots support. However, Umno has strong grassroots support too, so it is difficult to unseat them,” he noted.
He added that voters sitting on the fence would look for good personalities. “Thus, parties that field likeable candidates may have an advantage,” he said.
Prof Dr Sivamurugan Pandian from the School of Social Sciences at Universiti Sains Malaysia said candidates from parties with traditionally strong grassroots would have the advantage.
Keeping watch: Police and health department officers standing at a section of the state assembly building in Tanjung Bidara. — Bernama
“They need unique and creative mechanisms, which the grassroots can use to attract fence-sitters and outside voters,” he said.
The Pengkalan Batu state seat will be defended by the controversial Datuk Norhizam Baktee, in his first outing as an Independent candidate.
Norhizam said he was confident he could prevail in the five-cornered fight against Barisan’s Datuk Kalsom Nordin, Bersatu’s Mohd Azrudin Md Idris, DAP’s Muhammad Danish Zainudin and Putra’s Dr Mohd Aluwi Sari.
Paya Rumput will also be closely watched as PKR’s Information chief and two-term Hang Tuah Jaya MP Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Md Akin takes on Bersatu’s Faris Izwan Mazlan, Barisan’s Datuk Rais Yassin, Putra’s Mohamad Hashidi Mohd Zin, and Independent Mohd Jaini Dimon.
Shamsul Iskandar started working the ground even before Nomination Day yesterday, and was fined RM10,000 for holding a “mobile ceramah” at Taman Krubong Jaya.
Election Commission chairman Datuk Abdul Ghani Salleh said there would be five-cornered fights in five seats – Rembia, Machap Jaya, Paya Rumput, Pengkalan Batu and Bemban.
Nine seats will see four-cornered fights, while 11 others would host three-cornered fights.
The seats that will see four-cornered fights are Kuala Linggi, Durian Tunggal, Sungai Udang, Bukit Katil, Ayer Molek, Bandar Hilir, Telok Mas, Serkam and Sungai Rambai.
Tanjung Bidara, Ayer Limau, Lendu, Taboh Naning, Pantai Kundor, Kelebang, Ayer Keroh, Kesidang, Kota Laksamana, Rim and Merlimau will witness three-cornered fights.
Abdul Ghani said the state election had drawn a total of 112 candidates, comprising 28 each from Barisan, Perikatan and Pakatan, five from Putra, one from Parti Perikatan India Muslim Nasional (Iman) and 22 Independents.
He noted that 96 men and 16 women were contesting. Nine are in their 20s, 21 are in their 30s, 35 are in their 40s, 36 in their 50s and 11 are aged 60 and above.
“The oldest candidate is 60 years old while the youngest is 21,” he added.