‘Close one ‘eye’ MP out - The Star

By Martin Carvalho and Tho Xin Yi

MALACCA: Controversial “close one eye” Jasin MP Datuk Md Said Yusop was among the 13 incumbents dropped for contest in the polls. He was replaced by Datuk Ahmad Hamzah, the incumbent for the Serkam state seat.

Md Said is known for his remark to Customs officials to overlook a consignment belonging to his company’s client that was seized for exceeding the size limit.

He also accused Customs officials of selling confiscated luxury cars cheaply to their friends in the palace, but could not produce any evidence to back his allegation.

Making the election list were incumbents Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam (Bukit Baru state seat), Malacca MCA liaison committee chairman Datuk Seri Dr Fong Chan Onn (Alor Gajah parliamentary seat) and Wong Nai Chee (Kota Melaka parliamentary seat).

One of the biggest surprises in the line-up was the increase in the number of women candidates from one in previous polls to four.

They are MCA's Chiew Hong Lan (Ayer Keroh state seat), Gerakan's Wendy Ngo Kim Hwa (Bachap state seat), and Umno's Latipah Omar (Taboh Naning state seat) and Norpipah Abdul (Rembia state seat).

[More at http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/2/21/nation/20398404&sec=nation]