PKR will not rush in selecting its candidate for the Hulu Selangor parliamentary by-election, Selangor Menteri Besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim said today.

He said the party had many talented and capable people as potential candidates and would take some time to select a suitable one.

The Selangor PKR liaison chief told reporters this when asked to comment on Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's statement yesterday that the Barisan Nasional had selected its candidate and would announce the person on April 15.

Nomination is on April 17 and polling on April 25 in the event of a contest.

When asked whether the Poverty Eradication Foundation (YBK) issue would be a concern to PKR in Hulu Selangor, he said PKR would be delighted to discuss the issue with the society there as land was a scarce resource and helping the poor with land must be done properly.

The state government's refusal to let the foundation develop the new Universiti Teknologi Mara campus in Serendah had sparked anger among the residents because the development of the new campus would be an economic and business catalyst for the surrounding area.

Abdul Khalid said the voters in Hulu Selangor were very astute and knew how to choose a candidate to represent them, which was at was why PKR was biding its time to field the most suitabe candidate.

The Hulu Selangor seat fell vacant following the death of its PKR MP Zainal Abidin Ahmad, on March 25 due to brain cancer.

He beat G Palanivel of the MIC with a majority of 198 votes in the 2008 general election.

The three state seats under the constituency are Hulu Bernam, which is held by Mohamed Idris Bakar (BN-Umo), Batang Kali by Mohd Isa Abu Kasim (BN-Umno) and Kuala Kubu Baru held by Wong Koon Mun (BN-MCA).

- Bernama