PETALING JAYA: Selangor Perikatan Nasional (PN) chairman Azmin Ali has quashed rumours of him contesting the Hulu Kelang seat in the Aug 12 state election.
The PN information chief said he has been offered several seats to contest but, ultimately, the decision rested with the coalition’s top leadership, The Star reported.
“Hulu Kelang has been my hometown since I was four years old, since 1968. Yes, I have received requests to stand there, but I have offers from other places, too.
“I have been offered seats in Hulu Kelang, Morib, Batu Tiga and a few other places. I won’t be standing in Hulu Kelang just because that is my ‘kampung’,” he was quoted as saying.
Earlier today, FMT quoted a PN source as saying that Azmin is almost certain to contest the Hulu Kelang seat in next month’s Selangor state election.
The source said Azmin had a close connection with Hulu Kelang as it marked the first time he became an elected representative after winning the seat in the 10th general election in 1999.
The source added that Azmin, who was the Selangor menteri besar from 2014 to 2018, had already started preparations to contest in the Hulu Kelang constituency by opening a service centre there.
In response, Azmin said it was naive to claim that he would be contesting in Hulu Kelang simply because of the opening of the service centre in the constituency, pointing out that it has also been turned into an operations room.
“Do not read too much into (Perikatan Nasional) service centres being turned into operation rooms as this is happening all over Selangor since June 23, after the state assembly was dissolved.
“We have turned all our service centres into operation rooms to get ready for the elections. However, the local councils have continuously harassed us by taking away our flags and tents,” he said.