By Amar Shah Mohsen
SHAH ALAM, August 5 — Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) decision to place prominent yet unpopular figures to contest in Pakatan Harapan (Harapan) strongholds in Selangor is a demonstration of the lack of capable and quality candidates within the coalition’s rank.
This was the observation made by Amanah communications director Khalid Samad when commenting on Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali and Rina Harun’s candidacies in Hulu Kelang and Batu Tiga respectively.
The two individuals were among the key figures behind the infamous Sheraton Move in February 2020 that led to the collapse of the then Harapan federal government.
Khalid said while Bersatu may have more traction over PAS in urban areas in Selangor, the decision by the party’s top leadership to nominate controversial figures says a lot about its lack of options.
He added that unlike Kedah, where PAS was able to create a “green tsunami” through Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, PN has failed to make any significant impact in Selangor.
“I think they (PN) believe Bersatu has more traction in urban areas, that’s why they placed Azmin and Rina. But from my assessment, they don’t really have candidates that can actually create a wave of support.
“They (PN) don’t believe any of the PAS leaders can do it, so they think putting Bersatu leaders in urban areas can generate greater support. But I believe it will backfire,” he said during Selangor Journal’s Lunch on Us! programme today.
“The more candidates of Azmin and Rina’s stature are picked, the more I believe it will be to our advantage.”
Khalid, who is former federal territories minister and Shah Alam MP, was asked for his thoughts on why PN decided to place controversial figures in urban seats that Harapan won with a super majority — both Hulu Kelang and Batu Tiga were won with a majority of over 15,000 votes in the 2018 polls.
On PN’s continued silence over its menteri besar candidate for Selangor, Khalid reckoned this could be due to disagreement between its component parties.
“I think PAS is hoping to win more seats in Selangor, but Bersatu believes it has more appeal (in urban areas). So, they want to see who wins the most seats (before deciding).
On a separate matter, Khalid has challenged PN to present its “resume” to the people of Selangor on its track record in administering Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah.
He noted that while PN has been pleading voters in Malaysia’s most developed state to throw their support behind the coalition, it has nothing to show for in terms of governance.
The Amanah man said this is why PN has been playing up issues of race and religion in a desperate bid to garner votes.
“What have you done for the three states you are governing? Show us your resume, achievements and track record. Tell Selangor voters of what you have done, and that if you are given power here, you can do even better.
“But they can’t do that. They play up the sentiment that Islam is under threat. To them, issues of economy and national debt, among others, are secondary.”
Selangor, along with Penang, Negeri Sembilan, Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu will hold their state elections on August 12.
