TALK that Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali will contest the Shah Alam parliamentary seat is a mere rumour, said Khalid Abdul Samad.

The constituency’s MP said there were certain individuals trying to pit him against the PKR deputy president.

He said these people did not understand that Pakatan Harapan had agreed that incumbents would defend their seats in the 14th general election.

“Such talk is aimed at pitting us against one another, when our relationship is very good,” Khalid told The Malaysian Insight.

He said the rumour was being spread by those attempting to cause clashes between the opposition pact’s component parties.

“Those who spread such rumours do not understand the principles of seat negotiation, one of which is that the incumbents are respected, and their seats won’t be sought after or claimed by another party.

“In Shah Alam, I am the incumbent, so based on the principles of seat negotiation, no other party can claim it.”

Khalid, who is also Amanah communications director, was commenting on reports that Azmin might contest in Shah Alam, where Khalid has been MP for two terms.

It was also reported that PKR Wanita chief Zuraida Kamaruddin was expected to contest the Hulu Langat parliamentary seat, which is currently represented by PAS’ Dr Che Rosli Che Mat.

It was said that the names of Azmin and Zuraida, together with the two parliamentary seats, were raised at the Selangor PH Election Committee meeting yesterday.

Khalid said seat negotiations within PH had come to the conclusion that Amanah would contest the Hulu Langat seat.

“It was never raised that Zuraida wants to contest there, when she has a safe seat in Ampang.”

The PH presidential council will meet this evening to discuss the division of seats and the bloc’s proposal for prime minister, which will be decided on ahead of PH’s January 7 convention.

Khalid said he would contest in Shah Alam once more in GE14, and that the Hulu Langat seat would not be contested by PKR.

He said the rumour was also aimed at damaging Azmin’s image.

“As deputy president of PKR, we respect him, and I am sure he is doing quite well in Gombak.

“His good relationship with PAS will also ensure that many PAS members in Gombak vote for him in the next election.

“That’s the recipe he has been using for a long time. There is no reason for him to change seats.” – January 4, 2018.