PKR’s Zawawi Ahmad Mughni is to defend the Sungai Kandis state seat in the first by-election since the Pakatan Harapan coalition won the May 9 general election to form the federal government. 

The religious scholar was announced by PKR president and Deputy Prime Minister Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail in Jalan Kebun tonight.

Earlier, Selangor Menteri Besar Amiruddin Shaari said this was an important by election to show that voters are satisfied with the PH government.

“This is not a by-election we look forward to because I was very close to Shuhaimie Shafiei (former Sg Kandis assemblyman).

“I too was surprised by news of his death as he had attended my swearing in as MB not too long ago. But this is a reality we have to accept,” said Amiruddin.

He reminded that this is no longer a by election for PH to “try” as it has already proven itself to be a better government in Selangor than Barisan Nasional.

“We are no longer speaking as the opposition. Our reps in Selangor and in Parliament are the voices of Malaysian people,” he added.

Among those who attended were Permatang Pauh MP and PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar, Tangga Batu MP Rusnah Aluai, Selangor exco V. Ganabatirau, Subang Jaya assemblyman Michelle Ng, Pandamaran assemblymen Leong Tuck Chee, Port Kelang assemblyman and deputy election director Azmizam Zaman Huri.

Sungai Kandis assemblyman Shuhaimie Shafiei died of lymphoma cancer on July 2.

In the last general election, Shuhaimie polled 23,998 votes against Barisan Nasional’s Kamaruzzaman Johari (11,518), PAS’ Mohd Yusof Abdullah (7,573) and PRM’s Hanafiah Husin (76). Shuhaimie’s majority was 12,480 votes.

The Election Commission has set nomination for the Sungai Kandis seat on Saturday while polling is on August 14.

Sungai Kandis, formerly known as Seri Andalas before this year’s redelineation exercise, has 50,800 voters and is one of three (Sentosa and Kota Kemuning) state constituencies under the Kota Raja parliamentary seat, which was won by Amanah president Mohamad Sabu in the last elections.

While BN has not announced its candidate yet, PAS has decided to sit out this by-election. – July 19, 2018.