KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: It was an eventful day yesterday, two days before nomination, with some shocking announcements made on changes and about-turns.

The DAP's Fong Po Kuan again starred in the day's many dramatic events when she emerged from hiding to declare she would be contesting the Batu Gajah parliamentary seat after all.

She had just six days ago at an emotional press conference said she would not be defending the seat, citing internal politicking. She had also said she would not reconsider the decision.

It was also a day when several notable names were confirmed as making their electoral debut.

Among them were Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop, who was named as the Barisan Nasional candidate for the Tasek Gelugor parliamentary seat in Penang, and deputy Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaludin, who is contesting the federal seat of Rembau in his home state of Negri Sembilan.
Another was Nurul Izzah Anwar, daughter of de facto Parti Keadilan Rakyat leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who was fielded by the party for the Lembah Pantai seat in the Federal Territory against incumbent Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil.

Others include Loh Mui Fah and his son Gwo Burne, who were star witnesses in the recently concluded V.K. Lingam video clip inquiry. They will vie for parliamentary seats in the Klang Valley either for the DAP or PKR.

There was no let-up in last-minute lobbying and the possibility of last-minute changes being made to candidate lists.

But the certainty was that Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim would contest in the general election and he said he would continue as menteri besar if he wins, ending days of speculation.

Elsewhere, Gerakan Wanita chief Datuk Tan Lian Hoe will now contest in the Grik parliamentary seat instead of Lenggong as announced earlier. This is a direct swap with Umno's Datuk Shamsul Anuar Nasarah, who will now contest Lenggong, traditionally an Umno seat.

It will be Round Two for PKR's Datin Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and Datuk Pirdaus Ismail of Umno in the fight for Permatang Pauh. Four years ago, Wan Azizah won by a slim 590 majority after several recounts.

PKR, which is reported to be facing a shortage of suitable candidates, is fielding lawyer Wee Choo Keong, secretary-general of the Malaysian Democratic Party (MDP), in the Wangsa Maju parliamentary seat. Wee was formerly in the DAP.