Umno hopefuls contesting the party elections this week are taking every opportunity to campaign, including in Parliament House.

Several times, Barisan Nasional (BN) parliamentarians raised election issues during debates or the question hour in the Dewan Rakyat.

This morning, for example, backbencher Badruddin Amiruldin (BN-Jerai) asked 'No. 40' to answer a supplementary question that he raised.

'No. 40' - Women, Family and Community Development Minister Shahrizat Abdul Jalil - looked surprised upon hearing the reference to her candidate's number for supreme council posts. The Wanita Umno deputy chief is among the 51 candidates eyeing 25 posts on the supreme council.

After she replied to the question, vocal backbencher Mohamed Aziz (BN-Sri Gading) stood to ask a supplementary question which he prefaced with: "I wish No. 40 success in her contest..."

At this juncture, Deputy Speaker Lim Si Cheng asked whether he was attempting to campaign for himself as well.

"No, I am not campaigning but I am No. 2," he said to chuckles. He is one of three candidates standing for the Umno permanent chairperson's post.

Higher hotel charges

Later, during the debate on Budget 2005, he brought up issues linked to the Umno general assembly meeting once again.

He complained that hotels near the convention venue - the Putra World Trade Centre - had increased their room tariffs.

"The rate has gone up as high as 400 percent (compared to the normal rate)...how could this be? The hotel owners do not increase the rate for foreign tourists, but for local people," he said.

Science, Technology and Innovations Minister Dr Jamaluddin Jarjis, who is contesting a supreme council post was also seen campaigning in Parliament House.

Name cards with his photo and candidate number - No . 4 - were distributed to government officials in the building.