Kedah BN moots 'new, popular' names in 50-50 candidate formula for GE15

Barisan Nasional Kedah is expected to feature a line-up of to 50 percent "new and popular" faces in the forthcoming 15th general election which would see contests in 15 parliamentary seats in the PAS-led state.

Malaysiakini's survey found the move to be in line with the coalition's overall target to feature 70 percent of new candidates nationwide.

Sources within Umno indicated BN's readiness to feature a balance of incumbent candidates and new faces who have been working in their areas.

"Although there will be new faces in GE15, they comprise individuals known to the locals and are winnable candidates.

"They (new faces) may not be division leaders but they have been going down to the ground to work in their areas," a source, who declined to be named, told Malaysiakini.

In GE14, BN won two out of 15 Parliament seats in Kedah, down from 10 seats it won in GE13.

The loss of eight parliamentary seats was seen as a slap to the BN state leadership now led by Jamil Khir Baharom (above), faced with a challenge to reclaim its former strongholds.

Ahead of an official announcement, Malaysiakini's checks indicated the new candidates would be fielded in Kubang Pasu, Merbok, Langkawi, Pokok Sena, Kulim Bandar Baharu, Kuala Kedah and Sik.

'Former private secretary in Langkawi?'

Sources said among the new faces include a contender to take on former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad in Langkawi - the former private secretary to three menteri besar of Kedah - Amirshah Siraj.

Other listed names are said to be Kedah Umno Youth secretary Hasmuni Hassan (Kubang Pasu); Kedah BN communications director Shaiful Hazizy Zainol Abidin (Merbok); Umno Pokok Sena vice-chief Noran Zamini Jamaludin (Pokok Sena); Kulim Bandar Baharu Umno division chief Muhar Hussin (Kulim Bandar Baharu); and Mohamad Saidi Azizan (Kuala Kedah).

Another Umno insider, however, declined comments beyond indicating a "high likelihood" that the names would be nominated barring any last minute changes from central leaders.

As for incumbents, sources said Kedah BN is likely to retain both Padang Terap MP Mahdzir Khalid and Baling MP Abdul Azeez Abdul Rahim.

"Aside from that, the Jerlun Parliament seat will put up Umno division chief Othman Aziz, former Kedah state exco Suraya Yaakob in Pendang, as well as Jamil Khir.

"I'm confident Kedah BN will field 50 percent new and 50 percent old faces, including retaining MCA in Alor Setar and MIC in Padang Serai," said the source.

The PAS-led state government has so far decided to not dissolve the state assembly, citing the annual monsoon and expected floods.

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