KUALA LUMPUR, July 29 ― Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan and DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook are among the big names facing a straight fight in the state polls next month.
Mohamad, who is also the defence minister, will be in a straight fight with Rozmal Malakan (PN-PAS) to defend the Rantau state seat on a Barisan Nasional (BN) ticket for the fifth term since 2004.
Loke (PH-DAP), who is also the minister of transport, will face Rosmadi Arif (PN-Bersatu) to defend the Chennah seat, which he held since the 2013 general election.
Meanwhile, three menteris Besar (MBs) facing a straight fight are caretaker Kelantan menteri besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob (PN-PAS) who is fielded against Zamakh Sari Ibrahim (PH-PKR) in Pasir Pekan; caretaker Kedah MB Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor (PN-PAS) against Datuk Muhamad Khizri Abu Kassim (PH-BN) in Jeneri, while caretaker Terengganu MB Datuk Seri Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar will face Suhaimi Sulaiman (PH-Amanah) in Ru Rendang.
Also facing a straight fight is caretaker Penang chief minister Chow Kon Yeow (PH-DAP) who is challenged by H'ng Khoon Leng (PN-Gerakan), to defend the Padang Kota seat which he has held for three terms since 2008.
Caretaker Selangor menteri besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari (PH-PKR) is facing a three-cornered fight against Muhammad Hanif Jamaluddin (PN-PAS) and Independent candidate Suman Gopal, to defend the Sungai Tua seat.
Negeri Sembilan Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun (PH-PKR) is facing a four-cornered contest to defend the Sikamat seat that he has held since 2008. He is challenged by Ahmad Raihan Muhamad Hilal (PN-Bersatu) and Independent candidates Bujang Abu and Mohammed Hafiz Baharudin.
Meanwhile, the Kuala Terengganu parliamentary by-election will see a straight fight between the previous incumbent, Datuk Ahmad Amzad Mohamed @ Hashim (PN-PAS) and Kuala Terengganu PKR division chief Azan Ismail who is contesting on a PH ticket.
The 14-day campaign period will run from today until 11.59pm on August 11. ― Bernama