SELANGOR PKR has identified three potential candidates for the Sungai Kandis by-election on August 4.

State PKR chairman Mohamed Azmin Ali said the names will be handed to the central leadership before matters are finalised.

“We have settled on three names. We will discuss this in the party’s political bureau meeting this evening.

“There are many qualified candidates, and we have to respect the selection process.

“We listened to the grassroots, branches, and we will let the central leadership decide. Only then will we make an announcement,” he told reporters after attending a Menteri Besar Incorporated open house at the Selangor menteri besar’s official residence in Shah Alam today.

Present were Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari and Ijok assemblyman Dr Idris Ahmad.

Asked about the selection criteria for the candidates, Azmin, who is also economic affairs minister, declined to give details.

However, he did not rule out that one of the proposed candidates is a woman.

“We will surely field a ‘clean’ candidate, who is accepted by the people. As for one of them being a woman… there is certainly no gender discrimination.

“Given the credibility of (the late) Mat Shuhaimi Shafiei, we believe that PKR can retain the seat.”

Amirudin said the state PKR machinery is ready for the by-election.

“We are ready… whether it will be a one-to-one fight or a three-cornered clash.”

The state seat fell vacant following the death of Mat Shuhaimi on July 2. He died of lymphoma.

In the 14th general election, he had defended the seat, formerly called “Sri Muda”, for the third consecutive term. – Bernama, July 10, 2018.