Main Political Groups Prepare To Announce Candidates For General Elections

Malaysia's Barisan Nasional (BN) and Perikatan Nasional (PN) will announce the lists of candidates for the 15th general election today.

• The UMNO-led Barisan Nasional alliance will unveil its candidates around 8:30 MYR/00:30 GMT at an event in the group's headquarters in Kuala Lumpur. The candidates will be presented by BN chief Zahid. Across the town, around the same time, Perikatan Nasional leader Muhyiddin will unveil the candidates of his political group. PN was a junior coalition partner in the outgoing administration.
• Local media outlets reported that Barisan Nasional may drop some senior ministers from its list of candidates. Most notable expected omissions include Federal Territories Minister Shahidan, Communications Minister Annuar, Science, Tecnology & Innovation Minister Adham and Natonal Unity Minister Halimah.
• Both Shahidan and Annuar hinted that they might be axed. Both were critics of Barisan Nasional chief Zahid and allies of Prime Minister Ismail Sabri. The Star cited Annuar's social media post from yesterday noting that many "winners were being axed, especially those close to the Prime Minister," which suggests Zahid is consolidating his control over Malaysia's largest political party.
• Sources told the Malay Mail that the dropped incumbents would rather defect to PAS rather than go rogue and try to defend their seats as independent candidates. They added that the decisions were not set in stone and some axed candidates might still appeal them.