PRIME Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob is up against two contenders, one each from Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Perikatan Nasional (PN), in the defence of his Bera constituency.

Representing Barisan Nasional (BN) in the three-cornered fight, Ismail Sabri, who has been MP for Bera since 2004, is challenged by Abas Awang (PH-PKR) and Asmawi Harun (PN-Bersatu).

The official list of candidates for the seat was announced by returning officer for Bera. Zaman Azam Mohamet Sarif, at 11.23am, right after the nomination process took place at Bera Council Convention Hall today.

The Umno vice president arrived at the nomination centre at 8.55am, along with three other BN candidates for state seats within constituency and hundreds of supporters.

Asmawi and Abas arrived earlier at 8.30am and 8.50am respectively.

In 2018, Ismail retained the seat after defeating PKR candidate Zakaria Abdul Hamid and PAS’s Musaniff Ab Rahman with a 2,311-vote majority.

Based on the electoral roll, Bera has 77,669 registered voters comprising 73,860 normal voters, 3,521 military personnel and spouses, 279 police and spouses, and nine overseas voters.

Meanwhile, Zaman Azam also announced four candidates for the Guai state seat: Sabriah Saidin (BN), Nor Hashimahi Mat Noh (PN) and Noraini Abdul Ghani (PH), and independent candidate Jafari Mohd Yusof.

For the Triang state seat, Leong Yu Man of PH will be challenged by Yee Cheng Hwa (BN) and Muhammad Izzuddin Zulkifli (PN).

The contest for the Kemayan state seat sees a straight fight between Khaizulnizam Mohamad Zuldin (BN) and Shapuan Hussain (PN) after the nomination paper submitted by PH candidate Manolan Mohamad, who is also Malaysian Orang Asli Development Association president, was rejected.

Guai has 24,412 voters, while Triang has 25,891, and Kemayan has 27,366.

Election day is on November 19, while early voting will take place on November 15. – Bernama, November 5, 2022.