PETALING JAYA, April 28 — The official start to the 14th general election today has been a rollercoaster ride from the get-go this morning with the antics of nominees providing much colour to what is otherwise a standard affair.
Some nominees failed to qualify due to bankruptcy issues.
One candidate forgot to bring her identification card to the nomination centre. Even more shocking was when some candidates forgot to bring their election candidate passes to the nomination centres as required for entry.
One nominee was disqualified over a RM2,000 fine imposed by the High Court sparked a national uproar.
Malay Mail has compiled a list of the candidates who failed to make the cut and those who barely did at the last minute.
Bankruptcies
1. PKR’s Dr Mohd Hafidz Rizal Amran — Kuala Balah, Kelantan
His hopes of contesting the state seat were dashed after his application was rejected by the Election Commission (EC).
Returning officer Zulkifli Abdul Rahman declared him a bankrupt upon checking his documents at 11.20am yesterday.
This leaves a direct battle between PAS candidate Mohd Apandi Mohamad and BN’s Datuk Abdul Aziz Derashid.
2. PPBM’s Yaakob Osman — Penaga, Penang
The Nibong Tebal Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia chief was not allowed to contest the Penaga state seat after checks by the returning officer listed him as a bankrupt.
“I was the hope of the people of Penaga. This is why I am disappointed.
“I never expected this to happen and I will discuss with my lawyers before I decide on my next course of action,” he was quoted as saying on an online news portal.
3. Independent Datuk Ibrahim Mat Zin — Bagan Datuk, Perak
Best known under the moniker “Raja Bomoh”, the man best known for holding two coconuts magically became a no-show at the Perak hotseat.
According to reports, he was declared a bankrupt by Malaysia’s Department of Insolvency.
The 68-year-old’s absence means it will be a three-cornered fight between BN’s acting deputy chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, PAS candidate Ata Abdul Muneim Hasan Adli and PKR’s Pakhrurrazi Arshad.
Ahmad Zahid told reporters outside the Sekolah Menengah Sains Bagan Datuk yesterday that he was looking forward to the competition from the independent candidate.
“I actually welcomed him to contest in Bagan Datuk. The more the merrier. We waited for his presence today… But he disqualified himself,” Ahmad Zahid said.
Candidates with documentation issues
1. PPBM’s Pizi Jihat — Bukit Pasir, Johor
It will be a two-way battle between Captain (Rtd) Najib Lep of PAS and BN’s Hajah Noriah Mahat after Pizi’s disqualification due to documentation issues at the last minute.
EC officer Zainor Adani was seen discussing with Pizi and his group for about 30 minutes and only announced the official candidate list at 11.40am — almost two hours after nomination period ended at 10am.
The exact reason for his disqualification is not known.
2. PKR’s Mohd Azihan Che Seman — Tawang, Kelantan
The PKR candidate was disqualified in Tawang as his identity card address was not in Kelantan — a prerequisite to contest in any state seat in the general election.
PAS incumbent Hassan Mohamood will be in a direct battle against BN’s Mohd Radzuan Abdullah.
3. PKR’s Streram Sinnasamy — Rantau, Negri Sembilan
The PKR candidate failed to bring his candidate pass which denied him entry to the Dewan Sri Rembau nomination centre.
This gifted BN their first seat as caretaker Negeri Sembilan Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan was declared as the winner unopposed.
Legal issues
PKR’s Chua Tian Chang — Batu, KL
He was disqualified from contesting the Batu seat after the returning officer cited the judgment grounds of his RM2,000 fine imposed by the High Court in March as punishment for outraging the modesty of a police officer on duty.
The PKR vice-president — who has held the federal seat since 2008 — was surprised at the returning officer’s decision.
“Before I made that decision to disqualify any candidate, I consulted the Election Commission and was advised that Tian Chua was fined RM2,000 in a recent court case.
“Initially, it was RM3,000 but later reduced to RM2,000. Thus he does not qualify to contest,” returning officer Anwar Md Zain said at a press conference after announcing the candidates.
In response, Chua said: “I am very sad and outraged with the EC officer citing his absolute power and denying my rights and nomination despite court ruling.
“I have discussed with various legal advisers to work out some remedy, but I will first lodge a police report against the EC officer. In the meantime, I urge Batu voters to stay calm and not to display despair,” he said outside the Sentul police station.
Candidates who just made it just in time
1. PKR’s Datin Paduka Dr Tan Yee Kew — Wangsa Maju, KL
Tan arrived at her nomination centre at SMK Wangsa Melawati bringing all the necessary documents, except her MyKad.
An EC officer denied her entry as she sat on a bench outside while her assistant rushed off to collect it for her.
It was reported that her card was left inside a photocopy machine at her house in Subang Jaya.
This led to a late drama as PKR tagged P. Ganapathy as a backup candidate.
She was, however, allowed to fill in her form after her assistant reached the centre eight minutes before the 10am deadline.
The returning officer allowed her to enter the building with a photostated copy of her MyKad.
2. PRM’s Azman Shah Othman — Permatang Berangan, Penang
The PRM candidate was the last candidate to file his nomination papers at the state seat after being involved in a minor accident.
A car rammed into his car while he was on the way to the nomination centre.
His friend managed to send him to the centre in Sungei Dua 15 minutes before 10am.
Azman will be in a four-cornered fight against BN’s Nor Hafizah Othman, PAS’ Mohd Sobri Saleh and PPBM’s Mohd Shariff Omar.
3. BN’s Adnan Seman — Bandar Tun Razak, KL
Adnan forgot to attach his appointment letter to his nomination paper but the issue was later resolved.
The battle for the Bandar Tun Razak seat will see a three-cornered fight between PKR’s Datuk Kamaruddin Jaafar, Adnan and Dr Rosni Adam of PAS.
4. PRM’s Jenice Lee — Teratai, Selangor
Lee was originally denied entry by the police into the Pandan Indah MPAJ nomination centre as she did not have her EC pass with her.
She, however, managed to resolve the issue and will contest for the Teratai seat for the third time.
She will face a three-way battle against BN’s Ben Liew Pok Boom and PKR’s Bryan Lai Wai Chong.
