PKR expected to announce Seri Setia by-election candidate today
SHAH ALAM: PKR is expected to announce its candidate for the Seri Setia state constituency byelection today.
A party insider said the announcement would be made in Petaling Jaya.
“We are waiting for PKR de facto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to return from an overseas trip.
“The announcement is scheduled to be made by party president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail,” said the source.
The source added that Selangor PKR had eight names to be deliberated by the party’s top leadership.
The names comprised local and national PKR leaders, who are both old and new faces.
Among those said to have made the list are Selangor Economic Adviser, chief executive officer Dr Fahmi Ngah, former Kota Anggerik assemblyman Dr Yaakob Sapari, former Kota Damansara constituency coordinator Radzlan Jalaluddin, former Petaling Jaya City councillor Halimey Abu Bakar and Subang Jaya Municipal councillor Mohd Saifullah Mohd Zulkifli.
The seat was declared vacant following the death of its assemblyman, Professor Dr Shaharuddin Badaruddin on Aug 2.
“Halimey, 46, is one of those who is at the top of the list.
“He has been with PKR since 1998 and was active in the Youth wing.
“He even helmed the Selangor chapter from 2006 to 2009.
“Halimey was also PKR Kelana Jaya information chief in 2015. He made significant contributions as a local councillor while with MBPJ (Petaling Jaya City Council).
“Dr Fahmi and Saifullah are believed to have not made it to the list.
“But, there are a lot of possibilities.
“Let’s just wait for the official announcement,” said the source.
Halimey said he would let the party’s top leadership decide if he was the most suitable candidate to go up against Pas in the by-election.
“As of now, I am unsure if I am nominated. I leave it to the top leaders and I will accept whatever decision they make for the sake of the party.
“Even if I am not on the list, I will still continue to help in the campaign.”
The Election Commission announced that nomination for Seri Setia will take place on Aug 18 and polling is set for Sept 8 following a 21-day campaign period.