Perikatan brings out the big guns
The opposing political giants are set to put up a fight in all 56 seats
PETALING JAYA: The swords have been drawn in Selangor.
To counter Pakatan Harapan’s line-up, the state’s Perikatan coalition will field three former federal ministers, three former state executive councillors and a former deputy state legislative assembly speaker.
The coalition announced its candidates last night.
Despite an earlier denial, former Selangor mentri besar Datuk Seri Azmin Ali will be making his bid in familiar ground after 24 years by contesting in Hulu Kelang, where he made his election debut in 1999.
Azmin, who is also former international trade and industry minister, will be taking on his former protege Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari’s political secretary Juwairiya Zulkifli in Hulu Kelang.
Meanwhile, former women, family and community development minister Datuk Seri Rina Harun will be making her state election debut in Batu Tiga.
Nurul Syazwani, the daughter of former Umno warlord Tan Sri Noh Omar, will face off with Pakatan’s Selangor elections director Mohd Yahya Sahri in Permatang.
Although the lawyer is a newbie in politics, her father’s far-reaching influence in the district is expected to bring in substantial votes.
Permatang comes under the Tanjong Karang parliamentary constituency where Noh was the MP for six terms.
Mohd Yahya also has an advantage because his wife Rozana Zainal Abidin was the constituency’s previous assemblywoman.
However, there is speculation that his jail record for a cheating case may be used by his rivals.
In Kota Anggerik, Perikatan’s Mohamed Sukri Omar will be fielded against Pakatan’s Najwan Halimi who recently courted controversy over racial slur.
In Sekinchan and Kinrara, Perikatan fielded Selangor Bersatu non-bumiputra wing chief Goh Gaik Meng and Wong Yong Kang, respectively.
Goh will face the constituency’s incumbent Ng Suee Lim, who is also the state Speaker, while Wong will also be taking on incumbent Ng Sze Han, who is state DAP secretary.
It will not be an easy task to dislodge either one of them as both are non-Malay-majority constituencies with a high percentage of Chinese electorate.
Sze Han is quite influential in his own right and is said to have strong backing from the business community in his area.
Suee Lim also has very strong backing and had won the most number of votes in the last Selangor DAP party polls. He has also brought much development to the “rice bowl” town and has endeared himself to the local community with his easy going ways.
Being able to speak Javanese fluently is also a factor which has helped Suee Lim interact easily with the local Javanese community.
Former Seberang Jaya assemblyman Dr Afif Bahardin will not be contesting in Penang. He has changed his turf to Selangor and will contest the Taman Medan seat under the Petaling Jaya parliamentary constituency.
Caretaker Selangor Mentri Besar Amirudin, who is defending the Sungai Tua seat, is up against Muhammad Hanif Jamaluddin.
Azmin’s longtime loyalist and former aide Hilman Idham, who won the Gombak Setia seat under the PKR ticket in the 14th General Election, will defend the seat, which sees Barisan Nasional fielding its Selangor Umno chairman Datuk Megat Zulkarnain Omardin.
Other seats which are expected to see a tough fight are Bertam in Penang where former incumbent Khaliq Mehtab Mohd Ishaq will be going up against Barisan’s former housing and local government minister Reezal Merican Naina Merican.
Khaliq was one of the four Bersatu assemblyman, including Afif, who was removed after a motion of their dismissal was passed by the state assembly.
This came after the four withdrew their support for the administration.
Controversial caretaker Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor will be defending the Jeneri state seat where he will be up against Sik Umno chief Datuk Muhamad Khizri Abu Kassim.
Pedu incumbent Mohd Radzi Md Amin will be facing Kedah Umno liaison chief Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid.
When announcing the candidates yesterday, Perikatan chief Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the outcome of the state polls will not only be a determinant for the state but also Putrajaya.
He assured the people that no Selangorians, including minority groups, would be left behind from the development of the state.
“The key is the majority of Selangor voters are Malays but there are also Indians and Chinese there,” he said.
Perikatan will be announcing candidates for Negri Sembilan, Kelantan and Terengganu today.
The coalition will be contesting all 245 state seats in the six states.
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