ADDING to the already long list of names tipped to be PKR’s candidate for the Seri Setia by-election, PKR Women chief Zuraida Kamaruddin said she has put forth a woman to represent the party in the Selangor state seat.

“As the Women’s wing chief, of course I hope that a woman candidate will be fielded.

“In past by-elections, I submitted the names of young women candidates many times,” she told The Malaysian Insight.

However, she declined to reveal her pick for the Seri Setia polls, asking that the media wait for the official announcement.

A party source said the nominee may be Nurainie Haziqah Shafii, who is state Srikandi chief and a Petaling Jaya city councillor.

“Nurainie is among the young talent who should be nurtured. She is also a lawyer, and well-educated.”

Yesterday, the latest name submitted as a possible candidate was Dr Fahmi Ngah, who is CEO of the Selangor Economic Adviser’s Office and holds an impressive track record for his past work in the state.

Discussions among the party leadership on shortlisting the candidates have started. They will continue over the next few days, before an announcement is made ahead of the filing of nominations on Saturday.

Polling day has been set for September 8, after a 21-day campaign period.

In the May 9 general election, PKR won Seri Setia with a 19,372-vote majority, in a four-cornered fight involving PAS, Barisan Nasional and an independent candidate.

The seat fell vacant following the death of assemblyman Dr Shaharuddin Badaruddin due to cancer on August 2.

Other names tipped to be fielded are Permatang Pauh MP Nurul Izzah Anwar and Lembah Pantai MP Fahmi Fadzil.

The Selangor PKR leadership has its preferences, with names such as former Petaling Jaya City councillor Halimey Abu Bakar thrown in.

Yaakob Sapari is another possibility. He had been in the running for the Kota Anggerik state seat in the 14th general election, but was then dropped.

Two other names from the state leadership are Nurainie and former Kota Damansara coordinator Radzlan Jalal. – August 15, 2018.