Signs point to Azmin contesting in Hulu Kelang

 

TALK that Datuk Seri Azmin Ali might contest in Hulu Kelang in the Aug 12 state polls has not gone away despite his recent denial.

The former Gombak MP has been making his rounds in the state constituency and posted about his activities on Instagram.

The Selangor Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman has also attended several town hall meetings where he fielded questions, and met local youths at various sports events in Hulu Kelang.

Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah), which will be defending the seat under Pakatan Harapan (PH), said it would focus on local issues in their campaign.

Its Hulu Kelang Media Centre director Syazmir Hariz Noorazalan said the push on local issues was to counter the influence of a nationally-known opponent like Azmin.

“We have three possible candidates for Hulu Kelang, all of whom have experience of working with local communities.

“Two of them have served as councillors under Ampang Jaya Municipal Council while one manages the Hulu Kelang community service centre,” Syazmir told StarMetro.

He said Amanah president Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu and secretary-general Datuk Dr Mohd Hatta Md Ramli would campaign for the party’s candidate in Hulu Kelang.

“As our candidate is not as well-known as Azmin, who is likely to contest in Hulu Kelang, we need extra help from the top leadership to introduce our candidate to the electorate,” Syazmir added.

There is speculation that Anfaal Saari, who is Ampang Jaya Zone 3 councillor and daughter of incumbent assemblyman Saari Sungib, may contest the seat for Amanah.

Syazmir declined to confirm the matter but said an official announcement would be made on Wednesday.

He also did not discount the possibility that PAS might contest the seat under Perikatan instead of Azmin, who is from Bersatu.

“Saari first won the seat on a PAS ticket in the 12th General Election (GE12).

“Since then, PAS has always contested in Hulu Kelang.

“It remains to be seen if PAS will give its traditional seat to Bersatu,” said Syazmir.

Saari has held the seat for three consecutive terms.

He defended the seat as a PAS candidate in GE13 with a 2,881-vote majority in a straight fight against Barisan Nasional (BN).

In GE14, he won it again, but this time on Amanah’s ticket, with a 15,349-vote majority in a three-corner fight against Barisan and PAS.

Asked if there would be conflict at grassroot level between the Pakatan and Barisan machineries, Syazmir expressed confidence there would be none.

“There were three meetings held so far between Pakatan and Barisan, and both sides have agreed to work together.

“In fact, we are relying on Barisan to penetrate three voting districts considered as ‘black areas’ for Pakatan,” he said.

Syazmir added that Hulu Kelang had 20 voting districts and three of them recorded a significant number of Perikatan voters in GE15.

These districts were Klang Gates, Keramat Wangsa and AU2 in Taman Keramat.

Asked if Amanah’s cooperation with DAP in Pakatan and the unity government would affect its chances, Syazmir said this was unlikely.

“Hulu Kelang is an urban area.

“Racial and religious issues that are often played up against DAP will not appeal to voters here,” he said. - Star