Sekinchan assemblyperson Ng Suee Lim today said that he will only accept the challenge by Umno Sungai Besar chief Jamal Yunos for them to ‘face-off’ in the upcoming by-election if given the mandate to do so by DAP and Pakatan Harapan.

“I view his (Jamal’s) challenge as a mere political gimmick to seek publicity because he has no rights or power to decide on who will contest in Sungai Besar.

“I also have to refer to Pakatan Harapan’s leadership. But personally I have no problem to face him if mandated to do so,” Lim told Malaysiakini.

He was earlier present at a state government event in Sabak Bernam with Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali and other state assemblypersons from PKR and PAS.

Sekinchan is one out two state seats under the Sungai Besar parliamentary constituency, along with Sungai Panjang held by Umno’s Budiman Mohd Zuhdi.

Jamal issued the challenge to Lim during an event held at the Umno Sungai Besar building in Sabak Bernam earlier yesterday.

“He (Ng) is the ‘favoured candidate’ here. So let this be a contest between ‘sworn enemies’.

“(We will see) who is more accepted by the people. I challenge him to contest on a DAP ticket here,” Jamal was quoted saying.

Willing to contest Ng

Jamal also said he would offer his name to be BN’s candidate, if Ng was similarly fielded to contest in the area.

This would be in addition to the seven names Selangor Umno has reportedly submitted to its central leaders as potential candidates.

Jamal had previously said he is not interested to contest in the by-election, but would it leave it to the party to decide.

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

So far, PAS and its splinter party Parti Amanah Negara have both indicated intentions to contest against BN.

PAS is held its meeting on the matter last night while Amanah is expected to announce its decision on May 15.