THE People’s Progressive Party’s (MyPPP) only candidate Loga Bala Mohan is seen as an underdog in the 3-cornered battle for the Segambut parliamentary seat where DAP have won in the last two elections.

The caretaker deputy federal territories minister will go up against incumbent Subang Jaya assemblyman and Selangor legislative assembly speaker Hannah Yeoh, who is from DAP, and PAS’ Mohd Solleh Abd Razak.

Loga Bala, who is MyPPP vice-president, was greeted with rapturous support when he arrived at the nomination centre in Sekolah Kebangsaan Bukit Damansara earlier today.

The crowd gathered at Jalan Beringin as early as 7.20am and Loga Bala was seen arriving at 7.50am before leading the group of almost 2,000 people to the nomination centre at 9am.

Loga Bala’s camp was confident of a surprise victory but acknowledged that it would be difficult.

“With the support of other Barisan Nasional component parties and the public’s support, I’m confident he (Loga Bala) can win this seat this time,” MyPPP national youth leader Sathia Sudakaran said.

In the 2008 and 2013 general elections, DAP’s Lim Lip Eng won the seat by a majority of 7,732 and 19,199 respectively.

On the other end, Pakatan Harapan’s Yeoh and PAS’ Mohd Solleh turned up to the nomination centre with crowds of fewer than 200 people each.

Hannah Yeoh’s nomination was proposed by former Bersih 2.0 chairman Ambiga Sreenevasan and was seconded by Nurul Nuha Anwar, daughter of jailed opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.

A resident of Segambut, who only wanted to be known as Din said he had never heard about the Barisan Nasional candidate and PAS’ votes will only come from Sg Penchala.

“I have not heard about the Barisan Nasional candidate and I can tell that PAS’ chances are slim in this area as residents only want an opposition representative,” said the 52 year old resident.

All three candidates successfully filed their nomination, which was received and confirmed by returning officer Noor Akma Shabudin. – April 28, 2018.