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PM Badawi is hoping for two-thirds majority |
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is heading the Barisan Nasional team the second time this general election on March 8, is
bringing almost all members of the Cabinet to the race.
Only three are excluded, after they stepped out, voluntarily. They are Minister of Energy, Water and Telecommunications Lim Keng Yaik; Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Mohd Effendi Norwawi and Transport Minister Chan Kong Choy.
As for the rest of existing 31 Cabinet members only one cruised to her seat in Parliament after being returned unopposed for a second time. The others will have to battle hard, with some having more of an uphill task than others.
In state of Terengganu which the BN is trying hard to keep from going to PAS, the only minister who is contesting is Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, Abdullah Md Zin. He will be trying to wrest the Besut Parliament seat for the second time from Datuk Hussin Awang of PAS.
MIC President and Works Minister S.Samy Vellu will be defending his Sungai Siput Parliament seat for the ninth term this coming elections despite strong criticism over his handling of recent anti-discrimination protests by Indian activists.
There are fears that his presence will cost the BN even more votes at the polls but the veteral politician remains optimistic, saying he is leaving his chances in the three-corner fight, to the voters to decide.
Samy Vellu is facing Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM)candidate D. Jeyakumar, who is contesting on the ticket of Parti Keadilan Rakyat, and Independent candidate, Nor Rizan Oon.
In the 2004 general elections which also saw a three-corner fight, Samy Vellu defeated Jeyakumar with a majority of 10,235 votes.
Samy Vellu said the number of candidates fighting for the seat was not important but instead attention should be given to the preparations undertaken
by the Barisan Nasional to win the full support of the voters in the area.
Keeping a low profile after a public falling out with former prime minister Mahathir Mohamad and criticisms of support for national car Proton, has been Minister of International Trade and Industry Rafidah Aziz. The leader of the UMNO Women's wing will face a straight fight for her Kuala Kangsar Parliament seat with younger PAS candidate, Khairuddin Abdul Malik.
Prime Minister Abdullah had kicked off his election campaign on Sunday with a warning to cabinet ministers that jobs under the new administration weren't assured.
In an interview with Malaysian media he hinted that there might be a clean-out after the polls."I have made no promises to anyone. I have a free hand (after the election)," he was quoted as saying.
"I did not promise anybody anything; whether a return to the cabinet or any other post," he added.
The Prime Minister has been criticised over his cabinet, which retained many veteran figures from the former administration of Mahathir Mohamad, and which analysts say has prevented him from carrying out his reform promises.
Prime Minister Abdullah swept to power in landslide 2004 elections amid optimism after taking over from Mahathir, but since then has cited as being ineffective and failing to act on key goals like eradicating corruption.
He has however defended the old faces in his line-up, saying they were critical to the election campaign, in which the opposition is aiming to deprive the BN coalition of its two-thirds majority for the first time in history.
"In facing elections, the party must be led by those who have experience because we do not want problems which may affect our chances to crop up due to inexperience," he said.
Analaysts say Abdullah's popularity, which has already plummeted, would be further damaged if he dashes hopes of rejuvenation in the coalition which has ruled Malaysia since independence a half century ago
"If things remain as they are with the old guard being retained, then it will be problematic for the future of the party," said political analyst Tricia Yeoh from the Centre for Public Policy Studies.
"If he wants to talk about change he needs to show it rather than just speak about it," she said.
PM Abdullah, who is also the Chairman of Barisan Nasional and Umno President, will be defending his Kepala Batas Parliament seat which he has held since 1978. Standing against him is freelance preacher Subri Md Arshad from PAS.
The Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak will defend the Pekan Parliament seat which he has held since 1976, against Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) candidate, Khairul Anuar Ahmad Zainudin.
Housing and Local Government Minister Ong Ka Ting who is also MCA President, will be contesting the Kulai Parliament seat. He will be facing DAP candidate, Ng Pack Siong who is contesting for the first time.
Second Finance Minister Nor Mohamed Yakcop, a senator for two terms, will be contesting for the first time the Tasek Gelugor Parliament seat in Pulau Pinang, opposing Ismail Salleh from PAS.
BN's candidate for the Shah Alam Parliament constituency Abdul Aziz Shamsuddin, is the oldest Umno candidate at age 70 and is repeating his challenge against Khalid Abdul Samad of PAS just like he did in 2004.
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