Selangor PKR has yet to receive any official instructions to mobilise its machinery for the upcoming Sungai Besar by-election, said its deputy chief Zuraida Kamaruddin.

“At this stage, we have not received any instructions with regard to mobilisation.

“We will see and decide after nomination day on June 5,” the Ampang MP told Malaysiakini.

This is despite Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali, who is also state PKR chief, telling a crowd of over 1,000 people in Sungai Besar on May 12 that he would practically live in the area until the by-election is over.

At the state government function, Azmin was accompanied by his executive council members from PKR, PAS and DAP, as well as other Pakatan Harapan elected representatives.

At the time, the Election Commission has yet to decide on the dates for the Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar by-elections.

Asked for comment, Zuraida said PKR had made the “early preparation” based on then ongoing negotiations with PAS that it would be the best party to represent Pakatan Harapan and contest the Sungai Besar seat, instead of PAS-splinter Parti Amanah Negara.

“Now that PAS has announced its candidate, we have not officially decided on PKR’s role (during campaigning).

“There is still a lot of speculation (on candidates) so we will wait until June 5,” she said.

PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang has since closed the doors to negotiations with PKR and eventually announced Meru assemblyperson Dr Abdul Rani Osman as its candidate to contest the seat.

Amanah is similarly scheduled to announce its own candidate during a function in Sekinchan tonight.

Asked whether Azmin would be present at the function, Zuraida said she is unsure.

Azmin was also absent from several official functions held after PAS had announced its candidate.

Zuraida, however, denied that Azmin was 'sulking’ after being rebuffed by PAS.

“No such thing. No way the MB will sulk.

“He was in London to attend his child’s graduation ceremony but came back on Sunday morning,” she added.

While speculations are rife that Amanah president Mohamad Sabu would be contesting in Sungai Besar, Malaysiakini understands it would most likely field local businessman, Azhar Abdul Shukur.

A three-cornered fight for Sungai Besar is now set to take place between Amanah, PAS and BN’s Sungai Panjang assemblyperson Budiman Mohd Zohdi.

On the ground, it is also understood that Amanah has secured full support from the local DAP machinery.

The Sungai Besar seat fell vacant after the death of its incumbent Noriah Kasnon in the recent helicopter crash in Sarawak.