NOMINATION went smoothly for former Bersih 2.0 chairman Maria Chin Abdullah in Petaling Jaya this morning.

Contesting on a PKR ticket, the women’s rights advocate will go up against PAS and MCA candidates in the 14th general election.

The Petaling Jaya parliamentary seat, formerly known as Petaling Jaya Selatan, is considered a safe seat for the opposition.

In 2013, PKR’s Hee Loy Sian beat MCA’s Sheah Kok Fah by 19,216 votes.

In 2008, Hee defeated MCA’s Donald Lim in a straight fight, securing victory with a 5,706-vote majority.

Lim’s personal assistant, Chew Hian Tat, 44, who is also Petaling Jaya MCA organising secretary, is fielded this time around.

Chew and Selangor PAS Muslim Women Welfare Society chief Noraini Hussin face an uphill battle to beat Maria, having to close a gap of almost 20,000 votes.

Noraini, who has been a city councillor in Shah Alam since 2010, said she will raise cost-of-living issues to win over the urban electorate.

“People are really feeling the pinch. PAS will abolish the goods and services tax, as well as the National Higher Education Fund Corporation debt for youth, if we are elected into government.

“As a councillor who works round the clock, I think I have shown that I can work for the people,” said the former teacher.

There are three state seats under Petaling Jaya – Bukit Gasing, Seri Setia and Taman Medan. – April 28, 2018.