Azmin not defending PKR Gombak chief post

SHAH ALAM: Economic Affairs Minister and Gombak MP Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali is not defending the post of PKR Gombak Division chief in the PKR elections for the first time since having won it in 1998, according to Selangor PKR chief coordinator Hassan Yusof.

Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari is going for the post and is being challenged by Datuk Nizam Saad, he said.

Hassan said only two posts were won uncontested in the state, the post of PKR Ampang Division chief by Zuraida Kamaruddin, who is Housing and Local Government Minister, and the post of PKR Ampang Wanita chief by Salmah Ismail.

“The number of candidates contesting divisional posts in Selangor has increased by more than 20 per cent compared to the previous elections,” he said to Bernama.

The amount of the nomination fees collected in Selangor was also the highest among the states, at RM201,000, followed by Sabah, at RM169,000.

The nomination for elections at 22 Selangor PKR divisions, at Dewan Teratai of the Shah Alam City Council here yesterday, proceeded smoothly with about 2,200 nomination forms handed in for the various posts.

The counter was opened at 10 am and was to have closed at 5 pm but submission of the forms went on up to 6 pm.

The candidates, proposers and seconders were seen waiting from as early as 7.30 am outside the hall.

Selangor is the last state to seek the nominations. The elections are scheduled from this month to early October throughout the country.