INCUMBENT Shah Alam lawmaker Khalid Samad will be standing in Titiwangsa in the coming general election, his party Amanah announced today.

Amanah’s elections director Asmuni Awi said the decision to move the three-term MP was part of Pakatan Harapan’s plan to win GE15.

Asmuni said the decision was similar to PKR president Anwar Ibrahim’s move from Port Dickson to stand in Tambun, Perak.

“Many more risky but highly strategic strategies will be taken by (PH) to ensure that voters across the country vote on November 19,” he said in a statement.

He admitted that the decision to move Khalid, who first won in Shah Alam in 2008, was a risky move, adding that the former federal territories (FT) minister would face fierce competition in Titiwangsa.

“He will risk his excellent record as federal territories minister to ensure that PH wins Titiwangsa,” said Asmuni.

The Malay-majority Titiwangsa is set to become a hot seat with Umno planning to name its Titiwangsa division leader Johari Abdul Ghani as a candidate while Bersatu’s youth chief Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal is expected to be the Perikatan Nasional candidate.

Youth-based Muda is also eyeing the seat, with activist Siti Rahayu Baharin, 41, being reported as a potential candidate.

The Titiwangsa seat has been won by Umno, PAS and Bersatu since the parliamentary constituency was established in 1986.

Its incumbent is Rina Harun from Bersatu but she is expected to be moved elsewhere for GE15.

The iconic Kg Baru settlement is located within Titiwangsa constituency, and houses traditional Malay villages such as Kg Baru, Kg Pandan and Datuk Keramat.

The Malaysian Insight reported today that two issues will be the focal point in the battle for Titiwangsa in this election, the plan to develop Kg Baru and the controversy surrounding the development of Kg Sungai Baru.

Some settlers have expressed disappointment with the PH government’s offer to them to take over their land. The offer was made to them by Khalid as the then FT minister. – October 23, 2022.