This was the jab by Amanah’s Sungai Besar candidate Abdul Azhar Shukur towards Barisan Nasional’s (BN) Budiman Mohd Zohdi.

In a press conference today, Azhar said Sekinchan is better developed than Sungai Panjang, of which Budiman is the assemblyman.

“Apart from being more developed, there is better political understanding in Sekinchan, and the place has the potential to ‘educate’ future political leaders,” the Pakatan Harapan hopeful said.

If he is elected in the upcoming by-election, Azhar pledged that he would “guide” the people of Sungai Panjang to better understand the country’s political scenario.

He also dismissed notions that the 1MDB issue should not be brought to Sungai Besar voters, as the matter is of national interest and involves the rakyat’s money.

Sekinchan and Sungai Panjang are the two state assembly seats under the Sungai Besar parliamentary seat.

Sekinchan has been a stronghold for DAP’s Ng Suee Lim, who won the past three general elections there, while Budiman is a first time assemblyman in Sungai Panjang. He took over the seat from the previous BN assemblyman, former Selangor menteri besar Mohamed Khir Toyo.

The by-election for Sungai Besar was triggered by the death of its incumbent, Noriah Kasnon in a helicopter crash in Sebuyau, Sarawak, on May 5.

In the 2013 General Election, BN’s Noriah beat PAS’ Mohamed Salleh M Husin with a 399-vote majority.

Noriah garnered 18,695 votes while Salleh garnered 18,296 votes. It was her third consecutive win in a general election.