No dates and candidates have been announced for the upcoming Sungai Besar by-election but both Pakatan Harapan and BN bigwigs are already flexing their muscles in the area.

Selangor Menteri Besar and PKR deputy president Mohamed Azmin Ali told a crowd of over 1,000 people at Dewan Seri Bernam today that he will practically live in Sungai Besar from tonight onwards.

Most of the people present were among 1,247 new recipients of the state government's Hijrah Selangor micro-credit loan scheme, with an allocation of approximately RM7 million.

At the event, Azmin also announced an additional RM11 million in available loans for local entrepreneurs in Sabak Bernam.

In stressing that the Selangor government will not overlook development projects in rural areas, Azmin said the state's free bus service will commence operations in Sabak Bernam on May 18, ahead of its original schedule for later this year.

"I come here not to make promises or seek sympathy... I dare to face the people in Sungai Besar because my state government is not corrupt," he said in reference to an increased income through development, as opposed to receiving "donations".

"The state leadership and I have a vision and big plans for the state. If we get a bigger mandate, I believe the mandate will be translated into more programmes for the people," he said.

Met by reporters later, Azmin also insisted that there is nothing wrong for him to stay in Sungai Besar, in order to ensure the people are getting the right information.

Later tonight, he is expected to attend a prayer session for the late Sungai Besar MP Noriah Kasnon.

Shahrizat held tahlil session for Noriah

Earlier this afternoon, Wanita Umno chief Shahrizat Jalil had similarly held a tahlil session for Noriah who died in the recent Sarawak helicopter tragedy, and triggering the by-election.

She earlier met with Wanita Umno leaders and members from Sungai Besar and surrounding areas at the Umno building here, together with party information chief Annuar Musa.

She also reportedly confirmed that Wanita Umno leaders were among the seven names being shortlisted as BN's candidate for Sungai Besar.

Pakatan Harapan has yet to officially decide on its candidate or whether it could guarantee a straight fight against BN.

Opposition leader and PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail yesterday said that Pakatan Harapan parties will first discuss the matter separately before being brought to the presidential council.

So far, both PAS and Parti Amanah Negara have indicated their intentions to contest the seat.

The Election Commission has announced that it will be meeting tomorrow to decide on matters related to the Sungai Besar as well as Kuala Kangsar by-elections.