SHAH ALAM: A "Mak Bedah" in Petaling Jaya Selatan, a paraglider in Puchong and a candidate contesting in absentia added colour to the nomination day in the state, where Barisan Nasional secured its first win through the Sementa state seat.

Incumbent Datuk Abdul Rahman Palil won the seat uncontested ahead of the March 8 polls. His nomination papers were the only ones submitted at the Dewan Ahmad Razali in Kapar.

Of the remaining 55 state seats, five will see three-way fights: Pelabuhan Kelang, Sg Pelek, Seri Kembangan, Rawang and Batu Caves.

The other 50 state seats will see straight fights between the 14-party coalition Barisan Nasional and opposition parties.

Incumbent Datuk Seri Dr Mohamad Khir Toyo, who is the menteri besar, will be up against Pas' Mohd Fadzin Taslimin for the Sungai Panjang state seat.
In Kota Alam Shah, DAP's M. Manoharan, currently detained under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for his involvement in the unregistered Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), is standing in absentia against BN's incumbent Ching Su Chen.

Of the 22 parliamentary seats, Selayang and Kelana Jaya will see three-way fights.

In Selayang, Lee Li Yew (BN-MCA) will go against William Leong (PKR) and Koh Swe Yong (PRM). Lee replaces incumbent Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy, who did not seek re-election.

In Kelana Jaya, Datuk Lee Hwa Beng (BN-MCA) will face PKR's Loh Gwo-Burne, who made headlines for filming the infamous Lingam video clip, and Billi Lim Peng Soon, who will contest as an independent.

Lim, a motivational speaker and author, has often been described as "a geek with a funny hairdo". He was among the candidates with the fewest votes the last two general elections, having polled 198 votes in 1999 and 132 in 2004.

This time around, the writer of a book titled Dare To Fail hopes to at least recover his deposit, unlike in the past.

While a powered paraglider thrilled supporters of both BN and the opposition in Puchong, the Women's Candidacy Initiative (WCI) introduced "Mak Bedah" at the Petaling Jaya Selatan nomination centre at the MBPJ Civic Centre.

Clad in a bright red headscarf and huge sunglasses while pushing a shopping cart, Mak Bedah was a symbol for the group's call for more female representation in parliament.

Holding banners and chanting "Vote for Equality", "Mak Bedah" led the WCI troop of 50 in a march around the hall.

She said the march was to show Malaysia needed more women representatives in parliament.

"We want the candidates to know that if they want our vote, they need to raise more women's issues in the government and put an end to gender discrimination," she said.

WCI had earlier decided on independent Zaitun Kasim as a candidate, but she declined due to health problems four days before nomination day.

Zaitun, or "Toni" as she is known, had run as an independent candidate under the DAP banner in Selayang in 1999. She won 43 per cent of the votes, reducing the margin for BN's Chan from 38,627 to 8,835.

The non-governmental organisation promoting women's political participation has showcased women's needs on a national level since 1999.