SG BESAR POLLS Azmin Ali’s absence from the Sungai Besar campaign trail shows that Pakatan Harapan’s candidate does not have the Selangor menteri besar’s blessing, said Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin.

As such, the youth and sports minister said voters in Sungai Besar should opt for BN as the Selangor menteri besar is not committed to the constituency.

“Do you see the Selangor menteri besar in Sungai Besar after nomination day?

“The party and candidate contesting here did not receive the blessing of the menteri besar due to problems in Pakatan Harapan.

“The menteri besar does not show his commitment to Sungai Besar,” he said during a ceremony with youth associations where sports equipment items were handed out.

Azmin had only made an appearance during nomination day but has been absent since.

In contrast, Khairy said the prime minister, deputy prime minister and other ministers have turned out in force in Sungai Besar.

“I see every day, there are ministers coming here, I think the deputy prime minister is in Sungai Besar almost daily.

“Therefore there is only one choice if we were to choose a candidate who is committed in terms of the ministers coming here.

“If we win, we will continue to support the people of Sungai Besar,” he said.

Khairy also sarcastically suggested that Azmin may try to make amends after his criticism.

“I think after the media reports on my speech, tomorrow the Selangor menteri besar will come,” he said.

Khairy also made his case against PAS, stating that voting for PAS will also not benefit the people as it is neither part of the government nor Pakatan Harapan.

The Sungai Besar by-election is seeing a three corner fight between BN, PAS and Parti Amanah Negara.

Amanah’s Azhar Abdul Shukur is Harapan's candidate while BN is represented by Budiman Mohd Zohdi and PAS is represented by Abdul Rani Osman.

Azmin had initially pledged to “live in Sungai Besar” when he was negotiating for PKR to contest in Sungai Besar in a one-on-one duel with BN, while PAS will be allowed to contest head-to-head with BN in the Kuala Kangsar by-election.

However, negotiations with PAS fell through, paving the way for Amanah to step in to represent Harapan in both by-elections.