THE Pakatan Harapan-led Selangor state government is set for a tough time over the next five years in the face of a strong opposition, former Klang MP Charles Santiago said..

The DAP member said its important for the state government to establish a proper and effective communications channel to fight the Perikatan Nasional onslaught.

At the same time, Santiago also urged the state government to appoint a competent and effective assembly speaker for better control over legislative meetings.

In the recent state elections, PN won 22 seats, effectively weakening the PH-Barisan Nasional’s hold over the 56-seat Selangor assembly.

Azmin Ali is expected to be the state opposition leader.

Santiago said Azmin, being a former Selangor menteri besar and minister, was an experienced politician.

He has been an assemblyman in Selangor for five terms, two in his current Hulu Kelang seat and three in Bukit Antarabangsa. He was also the Gombak MP for three terms.

“Azmin was also a minister in the previous cabinet,” Santiago was quoted as saying on the Free Malaysia Today news portal.

Another experienced PN membe to watch out for, according to Santiago, is Taman Medan assemblyman Dr Afif Bahardin, who is a former Penang deputy chief minister and has considerable experience as an executive councillor.

“On the government side, besides Menteri Besar Amirudin Saari, the other experienced leader is DAP’s Ng Sze Han, who is a second-term exco member. Most of the others are young and quite inexperienced,” Santiago said.

“The fight between the state and PN will take place mainly over TikTok. That is why an effective and social media-savvy communications team must be established.” – August 27, 2023.