Azmin returns from ‘self-exile’ to wish candidates for byelection good luck

SUNGAI BESAR: Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali who had evaded the media after allegations of corruption in the Selangor state government had emerged at Dewan Seri Bernam, here yesterday.

Azmin who was not present when Parti Amanah Negara’s (Amanah) announced the candidate for the Sungai Besar by- election, arrived at Dewan Sri Bernam when Azhar Abdul Shukur who was accompanied by PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang when submitting his nomination papers.

The Selangor Menteri Besar who spent about an hour, was seen wishing PAS candidate Dr Abdul Rani Osman, good luck for the by- election which turned into a three- cornered fight between Barisan Nasional, PAS and Amanah.

“Here ( Sungai Besar), Dr Abdul Rani is part of the Selangor government and also a ‘state backbencher’ who had always supported the Selangor state administration.

“I wish him ( Dr Abdul Rani) all the best in the by- election and we hope both PAS and Amanah will be focused on the challenge against BN,” he told reporters, here yesterday.

Azmin had allegedly cancelled a number of functions in Selangor and stayed away from the media following PKR secretary- general Rafizi Ramli’s report to the Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission ( MACC) over claims that money and women were sought to negotiate with the Selangor government.

Wan Azizah when asked to comment about Azmin’s presence yesterday and not on the day when the candidate was announced, said: “He did not attend when the announcement was made, but then he is here today...good lah.” — Bernama