KUALA LUMPUR: The election in six states will see numerous political bigwigs facing straight fights with opponents.
In addition to defending their previous seats, some of the big names are challenging candidates who previously held the seats. Whoever their opponents are, these leaders are out to strengthen the dominance of their respective parties and coalitions.
Umno deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan is once again contesting in his stronghold in the Rantau state seat in Negri Sembilan.
He is being challenged by Rembau Pas deputy chairman Rozmal Malakan, who is contesting on a Perikatan Nasional ticket.
This is the fifth time Mohamad or better known as Tok Mat, who is also Defence Minister is contesting in Rantau, which is under the Rembau Parliamentary constituency.
Mohamad is a former Negri Sembilan Menteri Besar and is currrently the Rembau member of parliament.
Also in Negri Sembilan, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke is in a one-on-one battle in the Chennah seat against Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia's newcomer Rosmadi Arif who is representing PN
Loke, who is Seremban MP and Transport Minister has been the Chennah assemblyman since 2013. Prior to that, he was Lobak assemblyman for two terms.
Three menteris besar are engaged in straight fights.
Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob, who is representing Pas will be challenged by Pakatan Harapan's Zamakh Sari Ibrahim in Pasir Pekan.
Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, who had held the Jeneri state seat since the 14th General Election, will go against Sik Umno division chief Datuk Muhamad Khizri Abu Kassim, a newcomer.
Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar from Pas will face PH candidate Suhaimi Sulaiman to defend the Ru Rendang state seat.
In GE14, Samsuri represented Pas for the first time and won the seat after defeating two other candidates with a 6,028-vote majority.
Also facing a one-on-one contest is Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow representing PH. He will go against Perikatan Nasional candidate H'ng Khoon Leng to defend the Padang Kota state seat.
Chow has held the state seat for three terms since 2008.
In Kedah, state Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid is returning to the Pedu state seat after 15 years. He will face PN's Mohd Radzi Md Amin.
In Selangor, state PN chairman Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali is competing against his former 'protege' Juwairiya Zulkifli, who is Wanita PKR deputy chief in the Hulu Kelang state seat.
Azmin was previously PKR deputy president but later joined PN.
He is the former Bukit Antarabangsa assemblyman before switching to make his maiden bid in the Hulu Kelang seat.
In Terengganu, two former menteris besar namely Datuk Seri Ahmad Said and Datuk Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman, both from BN, will also be in straight fights.
Ahmad will face state Bersatu chief Datuk Razali Idris for the Kijal state seat, while Razif is battling against PN's Khazan Che Mat for the Seberang Takir state seat.
In GE14, Razif won in Seberang Takir with a 1,884-vote majority after defeating Pas candidate Mohd Fazil Wahab.