PERIKATAN Nasional (PN) is apparently keen to make former health minister Khairy Jamaluddin its poster boy in coming Selangor election.
However, Khairy is still contemplating on the matter as the outcome of the UMNO party election from Feb 1 to March 18 will determine whether he would be taking up PN’s offer, according to a source.
Recall that the former Rembau MP and former UMNO Youth chief was sacked by his party in January.
Meanwhile, PN has said that it will contest all 56 state assembly seats in Selangor, of which a PN source has expressed confidence in securing 75% of Malay votes.
As Malay voters make up 65% in more than 28 seats in the state, the battle between PN and Pakatan Harapan (PH) in the Selangor state election will turn out to be a tough fight with 50% chances of winning either way, according to the source.
As it is, another source said both Bersatu and PAS would be negotiating on seats to contest in traditional Malay areas while PN as a coalition would be looking for local leaders who were formerly with MCA and PKR to contest in non-Malay areas by inviting them to join its non-Malay wing.
“The non-Malay wing of Selangor PN is eyeing Sungai Pelek, Sekinchan, Kuala Kubu Baru and Kajang,” the source pointed out.
For the record, the Menteri Besar and Chief Minister of the six states – namely Penang, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Kelantan, Terengganu and Kedah had agreed on Feb 22 to dissolve the state assemblies in the second last week of June to pave way for the state polls. – March 8, 2023
