“PAS has many candidates who can be considered for the menteri besar’s post if Perikatan Nasional (PN) wins the coming state election,” Selangor PAS secretary Roslan Shahir told FMT.

He was commenting on the views of analysts who said former Selangor menteri besar Azmin Ali was PN’s best bet for the post.

Azmin, the Bukit Antarabangsa assemblyman, served as menteri besar from 2014 to 2018 before his appointment as a federal minister in the Pakatan Harapan-led government.

Roslan said six PAS leaders served as executive councillors in the previous Selangor government during Azmin’s time in office.

“However, the appointment of the menteri besar is the discretion of the Sultan of Selangor and PAS will leave it to His Highness’ wisdom,” he said.

Previously, FMT reported political analyst Azmi Hassan of Akademi Nusantara as saying Azmin was PN’s best candidate for the menteri besar’s post as he had the experience and credibility.

However, Mujibu Muis of Universiti Teknologi Mara said even though Azmin was seen as being the most qualified candidate, his involvement in the Sheraton Move, which led to the collapse of the PH government in 2020, was a stumbling block.

In the Selangor polls, which are likely to be held in May or June, PN will be looking to build on its victories in six parliamentary constituencies in the state in GE15 – Sabak Bernam, Sungai Besar, Hulu Selangor, Tanjong Karang, Kapar and Kuala Langat.

At the state level, PN has five seats – four held by Bersatu and one by PAS – as opposed to 40 held by PH, five by Barisan Nasional, three by Pejuang, two by Parti Bangsa Malaysia and one by Warisan.

Meanwhile, Selangor PAS chief Yunus Hairi said PN was still discussing who would be its “poster boy” for the state election.

“Our menteri besar candidate will be decided by the central leadership. We’ll need to discuss it and come to the best decision,” he said.