GEORGE TOWN, Nov 2 — Barisan Nasional-friendly Parti Cinta Malaysia (PCM) today swapped its candidate for Bukit Bendera just a day after one of its members was announced by the coalition chairman to stand in the Penang parliamentary seat this general election.

PCM national youth chief Richie Huan Xin Yun was today named to replace Razalif Mohd Zain who had been announced as the candidate by BN chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi in a glitzy ceremony at the World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur last night.

PCM president Datuk Huan Cheng Guan said Richie is the best candidate to be fielded for the seat.

"The party leadership discussed the candidate for the seat and decided that Richie is the best candidate as per the demography of the constituency,” he said.

He thanked the BN chairman for giving PCM, as Friends of BN, a chance to field its candidate in this election.

Rumours that Razalif would be replaced started circulating earlier today.

Cheng Guan said PCM held a meeting yesterday to discuss the swap.

He said the leadership wanted to make sure that its election candidate would be a Penangite and well liked by locals.

PCM is only contesting in one seat this election.

Nomination day is this Saturday while polling day is on November 19.