By Siti Rohaizah Zainal
SHAH ALAM, Oct 28 — Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari says he continues to have professional ties with Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, which he said is the relationship that exists between state officials and federal ministers.
Following reports that the duo will be contesting against one another for the Gombak parliamentary seat in the 15th general election (GE15), Amirudin said that his connection with Azmin concerns administrative issues, as the latter is the International Trade and Industry Senior Minister as well as the Selangor State Action Council (MTNg) chairman.
“Part of my dealings with Azmin is over administrative issues since he is the MTNg chairman. Occasionally there are proposals to conduct meetings but the timing is not right, so we keep in contact via WhatsApp and phone calls when necessary.
“We deal professionally, with some small talk here and there. Working with the central government to guarantee investments and state revenue is important.
“At times, he (Azmin) enquired as to where I will compete. I replied that it could be in Gombak. Little more than that, but he takes it very seriously, so that is alright,” he told reporters when met earlier today.
Incumbent Gombak MP Azmin, whose departure from Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) was one of the causes of the collapse of the Pakatan Harapan federal administration in February 2020, has been reported to have said Amirudin ‘will be slaughtered’ should the latter contest for the parliamentary seat.
Talks about Amirudin running for the Gombak federal seat, which has been held by Azmin for three terms, were further strengthened when PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Wednesday implied that the Menteri Besar would contest the seat.
Speculations on where Amirudin will contest are expected to end when PKR announces its candidates for GE15 later tonight.
