All eyes on Malaysia’s richest state Selangor as crucial state polls kick off
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Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim (in light blue), accompanied by election candidates and leaders of his PH-BN alliance, at the Gombak nomination centre in Selangor.
PHOTO: AHMAD LUQMAN ISMAIL
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KUALA LUMPUR – Top leaders across the political divide descended on key battleground Selangor
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Foreign Minister Zambry Kadir, who is also Barisan Nasional’s (BN) secretary-general, were among the figures from the ruling parties who were in Gombak. The district is home to three closely watched state assembly seats that are seen as bellwethers for how the country’s richest state might swing.
The unprecedented polls to elect six state governments just eight months after a general election will see the Premier’s Pakatan Harapan (PH) and the Umno-led BN campaign together for the first time, after years of bitter enmity.
The two rival coalitions joined hands after last November’s general election gave Malaysia an unprecedented hung Parliament.
But former premier Muhyiddin Yassin’s Perikatan Nasional (PN), the sole occupant of Parliament’s opposition bench, is bullish about making gains despite going up against the joint PH-BN machinery. The Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia president and his colleagues are seeking to end 15 years of Mr Anwar’s Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) rule in Selangor, a result that would heighten PN’s momentum as it seeks to woo defectors from the unity government.
“You can see for yourself the massive number of people in our rallies, which is a strong indication that they want change. They are feeling the problems of rising costs of living, inflation. All these things have created a feeling of not just despair but also anger,” the PN chief told reporters in Gombak.
“This is not just state elections, this is a referendum of people’s despair and anger towards Anwar Ibrahim.”
Former Malaysian premier Muhyiddin Yassin (centre) with election candidates from his Perikatan Nasional coalition at the Gombak nomination centre in Selangor on Saturday.
PHOTO: AHMAD LUQMAN ISMAIL
Mr Anwar left Gombak early to head to other areas in Selangor, hoping to ratchet up support for other unity government candidates across the state’s 56 wards.
Caretaker chief minister Amirudin Shari, who is defending his Sungai Tua constituency, told reporters that “we want to have continuity to our efforts in facing challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic, floods and economic issues. This is proof of our achievements, not just unfulfilled promises”.
He will face PN candidate Hanif Jamaluddin, who is Parti Islam SeMalaysia’s (PAS) youth wing secretary. The neighbouring Hulu Kelang and Gombak Setia constituencies will see former PKR leaders who had close ties with Datuk Seri Amirudin try to wrest these seats for Bersatu in what are expected to be closely fought battles.
Selangor PN chief Azmin Ali, the immediate past chief minister, will clash with former aide Juwairiya Zulkifli, who is now political secretary to Mr Amirudin. Gombak Setia incumbent Hilman Idham will seek to defend his seat against Umno state chief Megat Omardin.
Most observers believe that three states now administered by PAS – Kedah, Kelantan and Terengganu – will remain in the Islamist party’s hands, while two PH-held states – Penang and Negeri Sembilan – should remain under unity government control.
Nonetheless, these states are still being watched to see whether Umno, whose BN stumbled to its worst general election defeat in 2022 with just 30 MPs elected, will mount a recovery or suffer further losses.
If Umno is hit with another setback, it could give the party cold feet about continuing to back Mr Anwar’s premiership, especially if coupled with huge PN gains, such as a takeover of Selangor.
Supporters outside the Gombak nomination centre in Selangor on Saturday.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
Former youth and sports minister Reezal Merican Naina Merican is leading Umno’s slate in PH-dominated Penang, contesting the Bertam seat, which is within the parliamentary district of Kepala Batas that he lost last November.
“Going into the polls, I am encouraged because although I lost in the general election, I won Bertam by over 900 votes. I am here with strong determination to show that if I win, we can be a credible partner in the state government,” he said.
Meanwhile, former Kedah chief minister Mahdzir Khalid is hoping to boost Umno’s chances in the northern state, and faces PAS incumbent Mohd Radzi Md Amin in the Pedu constituency.
The Islamist party’s administration in Kedah was rocked in July when caretaker chief minister Sanusi Md Nor was charged with sedition owing to remarks allegedly insulting Selangor’s ruler. Sanusi has also been implicated by the unity government in a scandal regarding the theft of rare earth elements in the state.
“I am confident PN will win… the people of Kedah know how I performed as chief minister,” Sanusi told reporters after the nomination process ended for his Jeneri seat. “They can attack all they want. If there is any basis to it, we will answer.”
The contest will see a straight fight between Sanusi and Umno candidate Muhamad Khizri Abu Kassim.
