BUKIT MERTAJAM, 16 Aug 2008: Datuk Arif Shah Omar Shah of Barisan
Nasional (BN), Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) advisor Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, and two independent candidates submitted their candidacy for the Permatang Pauh by-election when nominations closed at 10am today.
The independent candidates are Hanafi Hamat, president of PAS splinter party Angkatan Keadilan Insan Malaysia (Akim); and Dr Mansor Othman, former Penang PKR chairperson.
The objection period for the nomination is from 10am to 11am.
Arif, 51, dressed in a yellow baju Melayu, was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minsiter Datuk Seri Najib Razak to the nomination centre at Dewan Aminuddin Baki of the Tuanku Bainun Teaching Institute. He submitted his nomination papers to returning officer Roslan Yahaya as soon as the centre opened at 9am.
Other BN leaders present included Gerakan acting president Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, who is also Penang BN chairman; MIC president Datuk Seri S Samy Vellu; MCA vice-president Datuk Ong Tee Keat; BN Youth chief Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein; Wanita Umno vice-head Datuk Seri Shahrizat Jalil; and Umno information head Tan Sri Muhammad Muhamad Taib.
Several minutes later, Anwar, 61, wearing a light blue baju Melayu, submitted his nomination form. He was accompanied by his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, and three of their children. Also accompanying him were Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, PAS vice-president Husam Musa, and DAP chairperson Karpal Singh. PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Aziz Nik Mat arrived at 9.30am.
Hanafi submitted his nomination papers at 9.25am, and Dr Mansor a few minutes after.
The Permatang Pauh by-election is being held after its MP, Datuk Seri Dr Wan
Azizah Wan Ismail, resigned to make way for her husband, Anwar, to contest the seat. Polling is on Aug 26.
Police deployed about 3,000 officers and men to control the crowd of more than 10,000 banner-toting supporters, and conducted land and aerial surveillance to ensure that the nomination proceeded smoothly. – Bernama
