A total of 138 candidates are expected to compete for 56 seats in the Selangor state elections, which will take place on Saturday (July 29). Among the key players are the Pakatan Harapan coalition, which has been administering the state since 2008, and the Barisan Nasional party.
Pakatan Harapan has listed 44 candidates, with 20 from PKR, 15 from DAP, and nine from Amanah. This gives them an advantage in areas with a majority of Malay voters. Barisan Nasional, on the other hand, has only named 12 candidates.
The clash between these two coalitions is set to intensify with the entry of the Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda), led by Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman, into the race. Muda plans to field 14 candidates in Selangor. Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) is also working with Muda and has named four candidates.
In addition to these parties, Perikatan Nasional, which consists of Bersatu, PAS, and Gerakan, will field candidates in all constituencies. Bersatu will have 31 seats, PAS will have 17, and Gerakan will have eight.
Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) is eyeing eight seats in the Klang District, including Port Klang, Selat Klang, Sentosa, and Pandamaran.
The Selangor state election is expected to see a three-cornered fight for 19 seats, a straight fight for 36 seats, and a four-cornered fight for the Sentosa seat, involving Pakatan Harapan, Perikatan Nasional, Muda, and PRM.
Some of the seats that may witness a three-cornered fight are Dusun Tua, Bukit Antarabangsa, Bandar Utama, Batu Tiga, Kota Anggerik, Sungai Kandis, and Dengkil.
Seats that may witness a straight fight between Barisan Nasional and Perikatan Nasional include Sabak, Sungai Panjang, Hulu Bernam, Batang Kali, and Sungai Burong.
The contest for seats such as Sungai Tua, Gombak Setia, Hulu Kelang, Lembah Jaya, Semenyih, Kajang, Taman Medan, Sijangkang, and Tanjung Sepat is expected to be highly competitive.
One candidate receiving significant attention is caretaker Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, who is defending the Sungai Tua seat that he won in 2008. He is expected to face a tough challenge from Perikatan’s Muhammad Hanif Jamaluddin.
Another seat of interest is Hulu Kelang, where former Bukit Antarabangsa assemblyman Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, a potential menteri besar candidate if Perikatan wins, will go up against Amirudin’s political secretary Juwairiya Zulkifli, the incumbent Bukit Melawati elected representative.
The nomination centers in all six states – Kedah, Penang, Kelantan, Terengganu, and Negri Sembilan – will open for one hour from 9am to 10am. – Bernama
Credit: The Star : News Feed
