After winning the Subang Jaya state seat uncontested in 2004, MCA's Lee Hwa Beng will face two challengers in the contest for the Kelana Jaya parliament seat.

nomination day kelana jaya 240208 candidates PKR is fielding Loh Gwo Burne, 34, made famous recently as the author of the video that implicated lawyer VK Lingam in the judicial appointments scandal. Author and motivationist Billi Lim, 57, who previously stood as an independent in Bukit Bintang, will be adding colour to the contest.

While Lee ( photo, middle ) is well known to the voters, the other two are newcomers.

"I have always spoken out on issues," said debutant Loh ( photo, left ). "Nobody seemed to be interested before. But now, when I speak, my voice seems louder. Many people have been asking me to contest. If elected, I believe I can effectively voice the concerns of voters."

nomination day kelana jaya 240208 pkr banners Always the performer, Lim echoing American civil rights leader Martin Luther King said that "I have a dream". "I want a Malaysia, where we are not identified with the colour of our skin.

"If Americans can elect a African-American, there is no reasons for Malaysians to continue to practice racial politics," added Lim who has been a resident in Subang Jaya for the past 10 years.

"I expect a good and healthy fight," said a confident Lee. "I believe the voters know me and my work here for the past 12 years."

Seri Setia

nomination day kelana jaya 240208 pkr Meanwhile, PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim’s private secretary Nik Nazmi, 26 will contest in the state seat of Seri Setia.

Asked why he is entering politics, Nik said "We are left with little choice. Malaysia is a great country, but it’s going down the drain. Politics is the only way to make a change. That is why I am standing."

He cited crime and rising costs of living as the top issues facing his electorate. "The Sharlinie case, which happened just a stone's throw from my constituency has made the crime a very serious concern here."

nomination day kelana jaya 240208 bn women "The voters are unhappy that 300 police officers can be deployed to monitor Anwar's recent ceramah here, but on normal days, there is hardly a police presence."

Nik faces an uphill task against Umno incumbent Seripah Noli Syed Hussin who won with a heafty 11,141 vote majority.

Subang Jaya

As for Subang Jaya, DAP is fielding lawyer Hannah Yeoh, 29, against MCA's Ong Chong Suan ( above photo, left ).

nomination day kelana jaya 240208 mat taib "I'm offering myself as a representative," said Yeoh. I believe that I can speak out on issues such as high density development and crime, and make Subang Jaya a better place to live in."

Hotly tipped to make a political comeback, former Selangor menteri besar Muhammad Muhammad Taib was present at the Kelana Jaya nomination centre.

Asked whether he was disappointed with not being nominated, he said that he has moved on to the "next chapter".

"I have moved to the next chapter, my goal now is to ensure the BN candidates in Kelana Jaya win," said Muhammad.