Johor PKR’s Youth wing today called for the Pakatan Rakyat leadership and PKR’s political bureau to choose PKR Youth chief Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin as the opposition coalition’s candidate for the Hulu Selangor by-election.  

pkr weekly meeting 190707 shamsul iskandar In a statement, state youth wing chief Zabidie Abas said Shamsul ( left ) is respected not only in Hulu Selangor and by the Pakatan and PKR leadership, but throughout the country.

Zabidie recounted Shamsul’s role during the general elections of March 2008 in grabbing several state and parliamentary seats from BN for the opposition.

He has also worked well with other PKR and Pakatan youth members in the several by-elections that have occurred since the 2008 polls, Zabidie added.

“Based on this splendid performance, Johor PKR Youth proposes Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin as a candidate for the Hulu Selangor parliamentary by-election. Johor PKR Youth is confident that with his nomination, (PKR) will remain in Hulu Selangor,” said Zabidie.

 

“His work as head of PKR Youth has brought the movement to the forefront and brought fear to Barisan Nasional and Umno. His brilliance (shows) in having disclosed incidences of leakages and corruption without the least fear (of recrimination),” he added.

“What makes us even more proud is that Shamsul Iskandar has not had to spend even one minute at the hands of the police or the MACC( Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission) or in court for any allegations or charges (of irregularities) in his struggle for the people,” Zabidie said further.

Shamsul is among 10 names said to be in lineup of possible Pakatan candidates for Hulu Selangor.

Yesterday, Malaysiakini reported that on Wednesday, the ten 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. 

Other than Shamsul, others present at the meeting included 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.

Also at the meeting was another potential candidate from the Hulu Selangor PKR division - vice-chief Razali Mokhtar. Conflicting reports surround PKR’s Hulu Selangor divisional treasurer Dr Halili Rahmat. Some way he was absent, while others insist on his presence.

Sources have claimed that Syed Shahir and Khalid were frontrunners, while the rest were either uninterested or wanted to give way to others.

'Instant noodles' development NONE

Meanwhile, in a separate statement issued this afternoon, Shamsul said BN had already started its campaign to bribe the people of Hulu Selangor into voting for the coalition come election day on April 25.

This can be seen in the announcement by Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin that four schools would be built in the constituency, an allocation of RM2 million to solve flood woes in Kampung Sentosa, Batang Kali, and a RM100,000 allocation for the purchase of a hearse for Al-Sajdin masjid in Kampung Sentosa.

Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, meanwhile, today launched the Yayasan Kelana Ehsan (YKE) foundation at Felda Sungai Tengi, near Kuala Kubu Bahru.

"For Felda, we have given many incentives and there is more to come. So, come April 25, come out and give your full support for the betterment of the people and YKE," Najib said.

Shamsul said such announcements clearly violate Article 10 of the Election Offences Act 1954, while reflecting BN’s desperation merely one day after the Election Commission (EC) announced the polling and nomination dates for the by-election.

“Does Umno-BN think that Umno-BN feels the tactic of trying to fool the people - one that they do every year (when elections occur) - through such ‘instant noodles’ development can win over the hearts of the people after Pakatan’s two-year rule of Selangor?”

Shamsul said his youth wing will be lodging a protest with the EC over the matter.

The Hulu Selangor parliamentary seat fell vacant after its representative Zainal Abidin Ahmad passed away from brain cancer late last month.