The retention and inclusion in the BN's candidate list of highly controversial figures like Rafidah Aziz, Samy Vellu, Nazri Aziz, Zainuddin Maidin and Abdul Aziz Sheikh Fadzir do not reflect well on PM Abdullah's purported reformism.

Rafidah, Samy and Nazri are controversial because of the public perception of their integrity in managing public funds. As Abdullah has declared ant-?corruption to be at the top of his reformist agenda, the re-appearance of these figures in BN's candidate list is a contradiction.

Given Abdullah has the full power as BN chairman and Umno acting president to drop or retain candidates, it is clear that he is not completely sincere in his anti-corruption campaign.

Giving Zainuddin Maidin the mandate to contest a parliament seat amounts to a prime ministerial endorsement of his clear anti-press freedom over the past few years. If elected, will Zainuddin Maidin be appointed as the minister of information after the election? This should worry journalists greatly.

Abdul Aziz Sheikh Fadzir is infamous for his public threat to raze the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall to the ground in 2000. Until now, he has offered no apology to the Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall and the Chinese Malaysian community. Does his inclusion in the BN's candidate list imply endorsement of his racialist tendency?

Given that BN has already won 15 parliamentary seats unopposed, it is even more necessary for voters to support the opposition to check the dangerous trend of a corrupt and oppressive power being established after the election.