PAS grassroots members in Gombak believe PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali will not retain the federal seat for another term as he no longer has the support of the Islamist party.

The PAS machinery was key to the Selangor caretaker menteri besar’s victory in 2013 as the party used its highly-organised network of workers and supporters to carry out numerous campaign tasks, said party worker Ilham Zainuddin.

“Our machinery is strong. We took care of security, putting up flags and campaign materials and canvassing for votes,” Ilham said while on a walkabout to distribute PAS flyers in Gombak today.

Azmin first won the seat in 2008, beating Barisan Nasional candidate Anuar Said Ahmad by 6,867 votes. His margin of victory dropped to 4,734 in the 2013 election, when PAS was still part of the now-defunct Pakatan Rakyat opposition pact.

PAS is fielding a younger candidate, trained engineer Khairil Nizam Khirudin, against Azmin in a three-cornered fight. The other contender is from Umno.

Now that PAS is no longer allied with Pakatan Harapan parties, Ilham said Azmin would not get as much support as before with the vote of its members.

If Azmin were hoping for the support of PAS splinter party, Amanah, Ilham said he would be disappointed as Amanah’s machinery is weak.

“So we (PAS) think we have a good chance (in this election). PAS has 50 branches throughout Gombak and some 3,000 hardcore PAS supporters who are really active,” Ilham said.

Azmin is also defending the Bukit Antarabangsa state seat. – May 1, 2018.