The Ampang parliamentary seat with Datuk Zuraida Kamaruddin as its incumbent since 2008, is creating history with a nine-cornered fight in the 15th general election.
Zuraida who is representing Parti Bangsa Malaysia (PBM) is facing MCA Beliawanis chief Ivone Low Yi Wen of Barisan Nasional (BN), Rodziah Ismail (Pakatan Harapan), Sasha Lyna Abdul Latif (Perikatan Nasional) and Nurul Ashikin Mabahwi (Pejuang).
There is also Warisan’s Lai Wai Chong and three independent candidates Muhammad Shafiq Izwan Mohd Yunos, Tan Hua Meng and M Raveendran.
Meanwhile, Zuraida is happy that she is contesting against five women candidates, and younger candidates in GE15.
“This is something to celebrate, I am glad more women have come forward (in this election).
“There are younger men also, so this is something good for the country.
“We are competing in a friendly, clean manner, and although I am from the older generation, I hope the voters will see what I have done so far (for the constituency),” said Zuraida.
The other candidates for the seat were Barisan Nasional’s MCA candidate Ivone Low Yi Wen, Perikatan Nasional’s Bersatu Sasha Lyna Abdul Latif, Parti Warisan’s Bryan Lai Wai Chong, Pejuang women’s youth wing chief Dr Nurul Ashikin Mabahwi as the Gerakan Tanah Air (GTA) candidate, and Pakatan Harapan’s Rodziah Ismail from PKR.
The three Independent candidates are entrepreneur M Raveendran, 38, Muhammad Shafiq Izwan Mohd Yunos, 33, and Tan Hua Meng, 65, who previously contested under Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) in GE14.
Low, 29, is a law graduate and Wanita MCA national publicity bureau chairman.
Rodziah, who is also Batu Tiga assemblyman and Selangor state exco member, said she would fulfil her responsibilities as entrusted by her party to achieve success in Ampang, which seat has been under PKR since 2008.
“I am taking this challenge in stride,” Rodziah said, when asked about her campaign journey with incumbent Zuraida who has managed to hold on to the seat for three terms.
“Three-term or not, it is not an easy battle, but I feel the voters will carry out their responsibility to reject ‘traitors’ against the party,” she said.