Satim goes from opposition chief to MB hopeful

BN's Mohamed Satim Diman, after taking a five-year break, hopes to bring more development to Seri Serdang.

Mohamed Satim Diman, a former Selangor opposition leader, is a potential menteri besar.

PUCHONG: After a five-year break from state politics, Mohamed Satim Diman of Barisan Nasional hopes voters in Seri Serdang will return him to the state assembly.

“I was their assemblymen from 1995 to 2013 and was rested in the last election (in 2013),” the former Selangor opposition head told FMT at the nomination centre here yesterday.

Satim was Selangor deputy speaker from 1999 to 2008 but FMT understands that he is a potential choice for menteri besar should BN regain power in Selangor.

The state has been run by a PKR-led administration for the last decade.

Satim said there was still much to be done in Seri Serdang, an urban constituency with a multi-racial population. “I promise to bring more physical development if voted in again,” the Umno member said.

Mohamed Satim Diman (right) with Noor Hanim Ismail of PAS and Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud of Amanah after they were declared as candidacies for Seri Serdang, Selangor.

He became the opposition leader in the state assembly when the now defunct Pakatan Rakyat comprising PKR, DAP and PAS won power in 2008.

In Seri Serdang, Satim’s rivals are Noor Hanim Ismail of PAS who seeks re-election and Amanah Wanita chief Dr Siti Mariah Mahmud, who was formerly MP for Kota Raja.

She said that although she was new to Seri Serdang she had been meeting constituents soon after being confirmed by PH to contest there.

She said it would be a different challenge in being an assemblyman but she relished the prospect. “But first we (Pakatan Harapan) must win this seat to contribute to the numbers to win the majority in the state legislature,” she said.

Noor Hanim said she hoped that the electorate would judge her by her performance since 2013. “I have carried out my duties to the best of my ability and leave the rest to the voters,” she said. -FMT