PN to bank on Shahidan's 'aura' to woo voters in Selangor?

Arau MP Shahidan Kassim may run for the Semenyih state seat in the upcoming state election.

According to Utusan Malaysia, Perikatan Nasional (PN) may count on the veteran politician's "aura" to garner support in Selangor, after he helped the coalition win 17 out of 18 state seats in Perlis in the 15th general election.

Shahidan's frequent presence in Malay-majority Semenyih has also strengthened the notion that the former Perlis menteri besar would contest the seat, said the report.

The Semenyih state seat was won by Pakatan Harapan's Bakhtiar Mohd Noor in the 14th general election before a by-election was called following his death from a heart attack in 2019.

BN's Zakaria Hanafi won the election with a 19,780 majority, against three other contenders.

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

"God willing, I will contest if needed, but what matters most is PN must win the six states where the elections are to be held.

"If my participation would help, I will contest anywhere - not for positions, but to ensure Harapan loses," he reportedly told the Malay daily.

Semenyih has 60 percent Malay voters, 16 percent Chinese, and 13 percent Indian voters.

PN is confident of capturing Selangor, which has been under Harapan since 2008, in the forthcoming state election.

Besides Selangor, PN is also gunning to seize control of Negeri Sembilan, add a number of state seats in Penang, and retain Kedah, Kelantan, and Terengganu. - Mkini