Parti Amanah Negara communications director Khalid Samad today said he is confident that the Selangor PKR machinery will be on the ground to assist its candidate in the upcoming Sungai Besar by-election.

This, he said, was barring any official restriction from PKR leaders.

“All the other machineries (from Amanah and DAP) have been mobilised.

“We will not feel slighted if PKR, in this Sungai Besar by-election, they want to sit out (from campaigning),” said the Shah Alam MP during a press conference at his office.

He was responding to Selangor PKR deputy chief Zuraida Kamaruddin who yesterday said that the party will only wait until after nominations day on June 5 before deciding whether to officially mobilise its machinery.

Khalid said Amanah understands there are certain “sensitivities” that PKR must protect in Selangor, as the state government also comprises elected representatives from PAS.

Amanah candidate Azhar Abdul Shukur is in a three-cornered fight against Umno’s Budiman Mohd Zohdi and PAS’ Dr Abdul Rani Osman.

He further said that the presence of PKR president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, PKR secretary-general Rafizi Ramli and other party leaders in Sekinchan last night to announce Azhar’s candidacy, will be taken as a sign of the party’s support.

“I am confident after last night they (PKR machinery) will move.

“In Perak we have no problem. Perak Pakatan Harapan had no problems from the beginning. Just in Selangor we have these sensitivities,” he said.

Selangor Menteri Besar and state PKR chief Azmin Ali was absent last night but Wan Azizah had said it was because he needed to take care of the Selangor government of which PAS is a part.

‘Chosen candidate signals Amanah’s inclusiveness’

Khalid said Azhar is not only a local candidate but also has a religious education background, a sign that Amanah is not “anti-ustaz” as alleged by certain quarters.

“He is the son of a former Umno assemblyperson. Amanah is open and inclusive. We don’t alienate a person because of his family background and heritage.

“What is important to us is the Islamic principles that he will fight together with us and he can be respected by Muslims and non-Muslims,” he said.

The Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar seats fell vacant after the recent deaths of their incumbents in the Sarawak helicopter tragedy.

Nominations day is set for this Sunday while polling will be on June 18.