Barisan Nasional component parties will sack any members who sabotage the coalition or stand as independent candidates.
State BN chief Teng Chang Yeow said all component parties have decided on this move to safeguard the interests of the coalition.
He said the component parties have told members to put party interests above their own interests and not to carry out any activities that would jeorpadise BN’s chances.
“BN component parties will not tolerate sabotage and will sack anyone who did it.
“Parties will also sack any members who stand as independents,” he told a press conference at the official announcement of the 53 BN candidates in Penang.
He called on those who were not picked as candidates to accept the decision and work together with the chosen ones to ensure BN’s victory.
Teng, who is also Gerakan secretary-general, as speculated, will contest the Bukit Tengah state seat.
When asked whether he was afraid to contest on the island, as alleged by DAP, he said his move to the mainland was for strategic reason.
He returned fire on DAP calling on secretary-general Lim Guan Eng to explain whether his father Lim Kit Siang’s move to Gelang Patah was because he feared to seek re-election in Ipoh Timur parliamentary seat.
Winning mentality
Teng also questioned whether incumbent Bukit Bendera MP Liew Chin Tong’s shift to Kluang this time was a strategic move or was made out of fear.
“If they moved for fear, then mine is also fear.
“If they moved for strategic reason, then mine is also for strategic reason,” Teng, formerly Padang Kota assemblyman, told reporters.
Also present were former prime minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who will retire from active politics, state chiefs of BN component parties Zainal Abidin Osman (Umno), Dr Teng Hock Nan (Gerakan), G Raju (MIC), Dr Ng Yen Yen (MCA) and Loga Bala Mohan (PPP).
Zainal Abidin will contest in Nibong Tebal parliamentary constituency for the third time. He won in 2004 and lost in 2008.
On BN’s chances of regaining the state government it lost to Pakatan Rakyat in the 2008 general election, Teng said all BN candidates would go to the electoral battle with a winning mentality
He said he cannot possibly gauge the level of people’s support for BN.
“It’s up to the people to decide but BN will battle with a winning mindset,” Teng said.
The state BN has unveiled some 60% to 70% new faces to contest in Penang’s 13 federal and 40 state seats.
In the last election, BN only won two federal and 11 state seats, while other partners – Gerakan, MCA and MIC – were wiped out.
Under the state BN seat formula, Umno contests five federal and 15 state seats, Gerakan four and 13, MCA four and 10 while MIC only two seats.
Teng said that the candidates were chosen based on the winning credentials, capabilities and clean records.
The youngest candidate is 31-year-old Loo Jieh Sheng who is contesting the Air Itam state seat.
Only four incumbent state assembly representatives are seeking re-election.
They are Roslan Saidin (Pinang Tunggal), Jahara Hamid (Teluk Air Tawar), Mahmud Zakaria (Sungai Acheh) and Muhamad Farid Saad (Pulau Betong).
Other state candidates are Mohd Zain Ahmad (Penaga), Shariful Azhar Othman (Bertam), Omar Abd Hamid (Permatang Berangan), Muhamad Yusoff Mohd Noor (Sungai Dua), Sum Yoo Keong (Sungai Puyu), Jermal), Tan Chuan Ong (Bagan Jermal), M Karuppanan (Bagan Dalam), Mohammad Nasir Abdullah (Seberang Jaya), Anuar Faisal Yahaya (Permatang Pasir), Ibrahim Ahmad (Penanti), Lau Chiek Tuan (Berapit), Tan Lok Heah (Machang Bubok), Tan Teik Cheng (Padang Lalang), L Krishnan (Prai), Teng (Bukit Tengah), Lai Chew Hock (Bukit Tambun), Tan Cheng Liang (Jawi), Mohd Foad Mat Isa (Sungai Bakap), Chia Kwang Chye (Tanjung Bunga), Tan Ken Keong (Air Putih), H’ng Chee Wey (Kebun Bunga), Rowena Yam (Pulau Tikus), Oh Tong Keong (Padang Kota), Loke Cheang Gin @ Loke Poh Chye (Pengkalan Kota), Loh Chye Teik (Komtar), Ong Thean Lye (Datuk Keramat), Thor Teong Gee (Sungai Pinang), Lee Boon Ten (Batu Lanchang), Low Joo Hiap (Seri Delima), Koh Wan Leong (Paya Terubong), Goh Kheng Sneah (Batu Uban), Wong Mun Hoe (Pantai Jerejak), Mansor Musa (Batu Maung), Nordin Ahmad (Bayan Lepas) and Shah Headan Ayoob Hussain Shah (Teluk Bahang).
Candidates for parliamentary constituencies are Reezal Merican Naina Merican (Kepala Batas), Shabudin Yahaya (Tasek Gelugor), Chua Teik Siang (Bagan), Mazlan Ismail (Permatang Pauh), Gui Guat Lye (Bukit Mertajam), N Gobalakrishnan (Batu Kawan), Zainal (Nibong Tebal), Teh Leong Meng (Bukit Bendera), Ng Song Kheng (Tanjong), Ng Fook On (Jelutong), Teh Beng Yeam (Bukit Gelugor), Tang Heap Seng (Bayan Baru) and Dr Hilmi Yahaya (Balik Pulau).
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