Pakatan Harapan has finally joined the fray in the Sungai Besar by-election, announcing its Sungai Besar Amanah division chief Azhar Abdul Shukur as the coalition's candidate against BN and PAS.

This was announced by Amanah president Mohamad Sabu in a ceremony in Sekinchan tonight, in the presence of top Harapan leaders.

“We need an elected representative who understands what is in the hearts of the farmers, fishermen and cattlemen so that the voice of the people of Sungai Besar can be brought to Parliament. We don’t want a candidate who will sleep in Parliament,” he said.

Among those present were PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, PKR secretary-general Rafizi Ramli, PKR treasurer Tan Yee Kew, Amanah adviser Ahmad Awang, DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang and Harapan secretary-general Saifuddin Abdullah.

However, Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali, who previously vowed to “live” in Sungai Besar until the campaign was over, was notably absent.

Wan Azizah said the absence of Azmin was because he needed to take care of the Selangor government, in which PAS is a part.

The announcement was made to a hall of some 500 Harapan supporters at Dewan Sri Sekinchan.

Azhar, 51, is a local-born and was a teacher before becoming a businessman.

The father of three has a degree in Islamic Studies from Jamiah Abi Bakr Islamiyah in Karachi, Pakistan.

In his speech, Lim Kit Siang said the Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar by-elections would also be a litmus test for Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s leadership.

“Surely Umno will rebel against Najib (if BN is defeated).

“Even though it will be three-cornered fights, it is a battle between BN-Umno and Pakatan Harapan,” Lim said.

He also implored Sungai Besar voters to question where the multi-billion ringgit in Najib’s bank accounts came from.

Rafizi in his speech said the twin by-elections could steer national politics towards defending the rakyat.

He also claimed to be in possession of a video which he said could convince the voters there against voting for BN.

“I have a hot video. I will screen it in the second week of campaigning,” Rafizi said.

Nomination day for the by-elections is set for June 5 while polling will take place on June 18.

‘Azmin absent to take care of S’gor gov’t which has PAS in it’