PKR is nowhere close to naming its candidate for the Hulu Selangor by-election, said PKR supreme council member and Kapar parliamentarian S Manikavasagam.

pkr samy vellu velpari police report 270707 manikavasagam Speaking to reporters after attending a meeting of the party’s supreme council at its headquarters in Tropicana, Selangor, Manikavasagam ( left ) said there are just too many possible candidates for PKR to have decided by this time.

Manikavasagam, who also sits on the party’s political bureau, said there are as many as 11 names in the hat regarded as possible candidates for nomination by the party.

"Whoever it is, it has to be a strong candidate, and preferably a local," he said.

On Wednesday, it was reported that ten PKR figures had gathered in a ' meet and greet ' session with Opposition Leader and PKR de facto chief Anwar Ibrahim, who has been entrusted with the task of selecting the best candidate for the Hulu Selangor by-election.

Among those said to have been present at the meeting were Pakatan coordinator Zaid Ibrahim, former ISA detainee and firebrand cleric Badrul Amin Baharun, Malaysian Trade Union Congress (MTUC) president Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud, Anwar's former press secretary Khalid Jaafar and human rights lawyer N Surendran.

NONE Also at the meeting were Hulu Selangor PKR vice-chief Razali Mokhtar and PKR Youth chief Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin.

Conflicting reports surround PKR's Hulu Selangor divisional treasurer Dr Halili Rahmat. Some say he was absent, while others have insisted on his presence.

The latest name to be thrown in the ring is Dr M Mahendran, who is an exco member of PKR's Petaling Jaya Utara division.

Mahendran, a Shah Alam-based doctor, is said to have volunteered himself just a few days ago.

According to a party source, PKR will only announce the candidate after BN had announced theirs.

 

There are also strong indications that PKR will be fielding a Malay candidate to capture the Malay votes.

As for the BN, Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said yesterday its candidate will "most probably" come from the MIC.

MIC's deputy-president G Palanivel ( above ) is said to be at the top of the list banner muhammad muhd taib ulu selangor for BN's nomination. Already, however, rumours have spread of infighting over the matter.

MIC president S Samy Vellu-owned Tamil Nesan reported Samy as having accused his former deputy - S Subramaniam - of sabotaging Palanivel's chances.

Several Umno leaders, meanwhile, have requested that someone from Umno be chosen as the candidate.

Among the names being bandied about was that of former Selangor menteri besar Muhammad Muhamad Taib.

PKR not intimidated

pkr supreme council meeting 0404010 wan azizah Speaking to reporters after the supreme council meeting, PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail ( right ) said they are not intimidated by the names of BN bigwigs being bandied around by the ruling coalition as being potential candidates.

"Hulu Selangor is... unique considering that three of the state seats are under BN. But I think the mood is still with us despite this," she said.

Wan Azizah's husband and party de-facto leader Anwar Ibrahim added: "God-willing, we will work very hard," before leaving for Ulu Bernam, where he is expected to deliver a ceramah at a mammoth rally.

 

Many have speculated that Anwar would announce PKR's candidate for the election this in evening, but this was quashed by Azizah.

When asked when the party would be announcing their candidate, " Tengoklah BN dulu (We'll wait for BN to do so first)," she said coyly.

pkr supreme council meeting 0404010 fuziah salleh Party elections director Fuziah Salleh ( right ), meanwhile, said that there will be a special committee headed by Anwar and Azizah to decide on the candidates.

                                    

"The political bureau has given their mandate to this special committee, and they will table the name (with) the bureau this Wednesday," said the Kuantan MP.

The Election Commission on Friday announced the Hulu Selangor by-election has been scheduled for April 25, with April 17 as the day for nominations.

 

The PKR-held parliamentary seat fell vacant with the passing of 71-year-old Zainal Abidin Ahmad, who succumbed to brain cancer last week.