Noh Omar challenged by dangdut singer in Tanjong Karang

Noh, 55, who is also Selangor BN deputy chairman, has served four terms as Tanjong Karang MP since 1995.

Herman Tino, an 80s singer, is contesting as an independent candidate while PAS is represented by its Tanjong Karang deputy president, Mohamad Rashdi Deraman, 49, an ex-teacher.

Herman Tino, 59, whose real name is Masrun Tamsi, and who is popular for songs like 'Yale Yale' and 'Pelita Dalam Kabus', said he would use the hibiscus as his election symbol.

The Permatang state seat will also see a three-cornered fight among incumbent Sulaiman Abdul Razak of BN, Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) candidate Mohd Yahya Mat Sahri and an independent candidate, businessman Low Tan.

However, it will be a straight fight between incumbent Datuk Mohd Shamsuddin of BN and Mohamad Judi Sarjo of PAS in the Sungai Burong state constituency.

Noh told reporters after submitting his nomination papers at Dewan Datuk Hormat here that it was the first time that an independent candidate was contesting in the parliamentary constituency.

Noh, of Parit 2, Sungai Burung, in Tanjong Karang beat Mohamed Hanipa Maidin (PAS) with a 3,820-vote majority in the 2008 general election.

"The independent candidacy trend in this general election shows that our country practises democracy. Anyone can contest. However, I believe that BN will retain this parliamentary constituency and the two state seats under it in view that we have provided good service to the people.

Meanwhile, Herman Tino, when asked why he was contesting, he said that as an artiste he wanted to "add colour to the scene".

Tanjong Karang is the only constituency in Selangor where the BN is retaining all the candidates it fielded in the last general election.