“WITH independent candidates, it depends on their ‘roots’,” says Kedah Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) information chief Ahmad Kasim. “For example, if they were originally from PKR, they will naturally pull votes away from the PKR candidate.” But if they were originally from the Barisan Nasional (BN), he says, they will split votes for the BN. […]
Bukit Selambau
The tussle for Bkt Selambau
NOMINATION day for the Bukit Selambau by-election opened relatively calmly on 29 March 2009, a schoolday and work day here in Kedah. Journalists and the candidates’ supporters started trickling into the nomination centre, Sekolah Menengah Teknik Sungai Petani 1, from 7am. There had been speculation that things could get chaotic, considering the Election Commission (EC) […]
Independents in Bkt Selambau reflect uncertainty
SUNGAI PETANI, 29 March 2009: The big number of independent candidates contesting in the Bukit Selambau by-election on 7 April is a manifestation of the uncertain political situation in Kedah, according to a political analyst. Dr Azeem Fazwan Ahmad Faruq, a political science lecturer at Universiti Sains Malaysia, said 13 independent candidates contesting against Barisan […]
Three independents ready to withdraw
SUNGAI PETANI, 29 March 2009: Three independent candidates who confirmed their candidacy for the Bukit Selambau state by-election on 7 April have indicated their willingness to withdraw for personal reasons. Major (Rtd) Anuar Abd Hamid said he was ready to withdraw if former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad rejoined Umno. The former Merbok Umno […]
Record-breaking number of candidates
Corrected at 7.05pm on 29 March 2009 SUNGAI PETANI, 29 Mar 2009: The Bukit Selambau by-election has broken all records: the Election Commission announced at noon today that 15 candidates would be vying for the state seat in Kedah come 7 April. Apart from the Barisan Nasional (BN)’s Datuk S Ganesan and Parti Keadilan Rakyat […]
Nomination day for triple by-elections
Bukit Selambau Bukit Gantang Batang Ai
Nomination day in Bukit Selambau (Updated at 11.40am)
Party flags lining a road in Bukit Selambau Updated on 29 March 2009 at 11.40am SUNGAI PETANI, 29 March 2009: The electoral process for the Bukit Selambau by-election kicks off this morning with the nomination of candidates. Up to 14 candidates are expected to file their nomination papers today with the Election Commission (EC) between […]
Don’t stir up emotions, EC tells political leaders
TAIPING, 28 March 2009: The Election Commission (EC) today urged political leaders not to stir up emotions of their supporters during the nomination process tomorrow. EC chairperson Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof said all sides needed to ensure the process proceed in harmony without untoward incidents like what happened during the Permatang Pauh parliamentary […]
13 confirmed candidates for Bkt Selambau (Updated 4.30pm)
Updated at 4.30pm on 27 March 2009 SUNGAI PETANI, 27 March 2009: The Election Commission (EC) has confirmed that a total of 13 candidates have paid their deposits for the Bukit Selambau by-election, including one from the Barisan Nasional (BN). The Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) candidate S Manikumar has yet to pay the RM5,000 deposit […]
By-elections test for new Umno leadership
KUALA LUMPUR, 27 March 2009: The new Umno leadership will test its acceptability with multiracial voters in the three 7 April by-elections in Bukit Gantang, Bukit Selambau and Batang Ai. Newly-elected Umno deputy president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin described the by-elections as “a big test” that would not be easy for Barisan Nasional (BN) to […]
