'No state-level discussion on Shahidan's candidacy yet'

 

Amid speculation that Shahidan Kassim may be contesting for a state seat in Selangor in the looming state polls, it appears that the Arau MP has not been shortlisted as a candidate.

Selangor PAS liaison secretary Roslan Shahir Mohd Shahir revealed that there haven’t been any discussions at the state level to field Shahidan (above) as a PAS candidate to contest in any seats.

Roslan was quoted as saying by Utusan Malaysia that Selangor PAS has identified candidates – all of whom are natives of the state – who will be fielded in seats that would be contested by the Islamist party.

“However, we don’t know if there is a proposal at the central level to place him as a candidate in any state assembly seat for the upcoming state elections,” he was quoted as saying by the Malay daily. 

Previously, it was reported that Perikatan Nasional (PN) may count on the Shahidan’s “aura” to garner support in Selangor after the veteran politician helped the coalition win 17 out of 18 state seats in Perlis in the 15th general election after being dropped as a candidate by Umno.

His frequent presence in Malay-majority Semenyih had strengthened the notion that the former Perlis menteri besar would contest the seat, said Utusan Malaysia.

When asked about the possibility of contesting in Selangor, Shahidan reportedly said that he was willing to do so anywhere, as long as it is blessed by the PN leadership.

Based on Shahidan’s statement, Roslan said the former did not announce his candidacy but merely volunteered to contest if his help is needed in the elections.

Selangor PAS liaison secretary Roslan Shahir Mohd Shahir

“If (PAS) central believes that Shahidan can help woo voters in Selangor, we have no problem giving support,” he said.

In related developments, he reportedly said that the seat distribution among PAS, Bersatu, and Gerakan was almost complete, with two or three seats yet to be finalised.

“We agreed to submit the decision to the central level to resolve it.“Once the seat distribution is completed, the process of introducing the candidates will be done after the top brass has green-lighted the candidates list.” - Mkini