Tengku Zafrul, the senior political adviser to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, however said this was subject to the PKR central leadership’s decision on its candidate, Berita Harian reported.

“I am ready to contest anywhere if given the opportunity to do so. It is up to the party to decide,” he was quoted as saying.

Tengku Zafrul nonetheless said his recent presence in Pandan was focused on serving the people there, adding that he has not been actively thinking about taking on Rafizi at the polls.

“Yes, I may be facing a political giant if I’m fielded and if he decides to contest here again. But what’s more important is that I work and serve, whether in Pandan, Ampang or anywhere I’m assigned to,” said the former two-term senator.

There has been speculation that PKR could field Tengku Zafrul in Pandan to challenge Rafizi, the former PKR deputy president who has moved to Parti Bersama Malaysia and intends to defend the parliamentary seat.

Rafizi, a former economy minister, has represented Pandan for two terms. He resigned as Pandan MP earlier this month before quitting PKR to take over Bersama.

Tengku Zafrul, a former two-term senator, used to be from Umno but joined PKR in August last year.

In the 2022 general election, he contested the Kuala Selangor seat but lost to Amanah vice-president Dzulkefly Ahmad by 1,002 votes, as the latter was elected to a third term as its MP.