An Umno state assemblyperson has speculated there may be attempts to sabotage Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali with regard to the Sungai Besar by-election.

Halimaton Saadiah Bohan said his political rivals within PKR and Pakatan Harapan might do this in order to embarrass Azmin, who is also PKR deputy president.

Azmin is said to be pushing for a PKR candidate to represent Pakatan Harapan in the June 18 by-election, which was called following the death of its incumbent Noriah Kasnon.

However, PAS has made it clear that it would not budge.

In the 2013 general election, the PAS candidate was defeated by a wafer-thin margin of some 400 votes.

Halimaton said if the opposition candidate is defeated, the outcome would be used as fodder to run down Azmin.

"Big or small, I believe the sabotage will happen. It is unlikely that Azmin's foes in PKR and Pakatan Harapan will remain silent. This is the best opportunity to soil his image.

"Field a candidate from whichever party, the sabotage efforts will take place. Wait and see," the Kota Damansara representative told Umno Online.

'Sabotage among opposition parties is common'

Halimaton also stressed that sabotage among opposition parties is common as witnessed in the recent Sarawak elections.

She was referring to DAP and PKR locking horns in six seats in the state election last month, after negotiations hit a brick wall.

Of late, there has been intense speculation of a rift in PKR.

Last week, PKR vice-president Rafizi Ramli revealed receiving complaints of money and women being sought for negotiations with the Selangor government.

Azmin dismissed the allegation as baseless, claiming it was a smear campaign against his administration.

Prior to this, a letter penned by jailed former opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim also caused a stir.

In the eight-page letter, he cautioned PKR about the dangers of working with Dr Mahathir Mohamad on the Citizens' Declaration.

Observers believed the letter was aimed at Azmin, who is said to share a close rapport with the former prime minister.

The Sungai Besar by-election in Selangor and the Kuala Kangsar contest in Perak, which are to be held on June 18, are touted as litmus tests for Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak over the 1MDB allegations against him.