PETALING JAYA – It is official – former Selangor menteri besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali is contesting for Hulu Kelang and will not be defending the Bukit Antarabangsa seat.
Azmin appears to have had a change of heart, as the Perikatan Nasional (PN) information chief had announced in February that he would not be running in the state elections.
Nonetheless, his frequent visitations to the state constituency, his organising several programmes with the locals, and the utilisation of his late mother’s bungalow as PN’s war room had previously sparked speculations about his candidacy.
Azmin was the Hulu Kelang assemblyman in 1999, before losing to Barisan Nasional in 2004.
He was also menteri besar from 2014 to 2018, and Bukit Antarabangsa assemblyman for three terms since 2008, while he was still a PKR member.
Azmin’s candidacy was announced by PN chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin in Taman Medan, this evening.
Speaking to reporters, Azmin refuted claims that he had “run away” from his Bukit Antarabangsa seat.
“Hulu Kelang is my first seat back in 1999, and I was the Gombak MP for three terms since 2008,” he said.
“Hulu Kelang is a part of the Gombak constituency. So, I am not running from one area to another.
“As leaders, we should be prepared to serve wherever we are needed by the people,” he added.
Azmin also said that he decided against taking a break from politics given the current situation and Bersatu’s stance that he should contest in the state polls.
“I adhere to the instructions made by the party president and the executive council… I accept this responsibility and will ensure PN wins Selangor,” he added.
Azmin’s defeat against caretaker menteri besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari for the Gombak seat in the general election last November seemingly pushed Bersatu to choose a “safe seat” for him in the state polls, despite his 15-year term in Bukit Antarabangsa.
Azmin is set to contest against Pakatan Harapan’s former Bukit Melawati assemblywoman, Juwairiya Zulkifli, who replaced incumbent Saari Sungib of Amanah following his decision not to defend his seat due to health reasons.
With the announcement, Azmin may also become the “poster boy” for PN’s Selangor menteri besar candidate, indicating he will be rivals with Amirudin once more, who is PH’s poster boy. – July 26, 2023