AMANAH has confirmed it will contest nine of the 56 state seats in the Selangor elections next month.

Its chairman Izham Hashim said the party will defend Sabak, Meru, Pandan Indah, Hulu Kelang, Morib, Seri Serdang, Sungai Ramal and Taman Templer state constituencies the party won in the 2018 general election.

“Another seat is Hulu Bernam, we swapped with Barisan Nasional (BN), and they (BN) took the Jeram seat,” he said in an exclusive interview with Bernama.

Izham said the list of Amanah candidates will be finalised today by the party’s top leadership.

“The committee has finished selecting (candidates). The list will be brought to the top leadership tomorrow for the nominees to be endorsed. We will announce when once it is finalised.

“The selected candidates must have certain criteria such as academic qualifications, experience in politics, be able to work and hold a position in the party,” he said, adding that Amanah will field a combination of new and old candidates, youth and women.

On the party’s preparation to face competition from Perikatan Nasional in Selangor, he said Amanah believes it can defend at least eight seats in the polls.

“We have served in Selangor for three terms, we can see the stability and prosperity in Selangor. There is no reason for voters  to make a switch.

“In Selangor, we have a very good record. In terms of programmes for the people, from dozens (previously) now there are 46 programmes (for the people). Besides, we are not involved in scandals or cases of corruption, stealing people’s money,” he said.

Selangor Pakatan Harapan (PH) chairman Amirudin Shari previously announced that the seat distribution between PH and BN has been completed, with BN to contest more than 20% of the 56 state while the rest will be contested by PH candidates consisting of PKR, DAP and Amanah.

In 2018, Selangor PH secured 51 seats, followed by BN and PAS with four and one seat respectively.

The composition of the state assembly before its dissolution saw PH holding 40 seats (PKR-19, DAP-15, Amanah-6), BN (5), Bersatu (4), Parti Bangsa Malaysia (2), while PAS, Pejuang, and Warisan have one each, along with one Independent representative.

Another seat, Batang Kali, however, was declared vacant after the elected representative failed to attend the assembly sitting for more than six months.

On July 5, the Election Commission announced state elections in Selangor, Kedah, Penang, Kelantan, Terengganu and Negri Sembilan are to be held simultaneously on August 12, with nomination day set on July 29 and early voting on August 8. – Bernama, July 13, 2023.