SG BESAR POLLS Selangor menteri besar Azmin Ali has made it loud and clear, he is supporting Amanah's Azhar Shukur in the Sungai Besar by-election.

"I would like to stress that as PKR deputy president, after long deliberations, I give my support to the Pakatan Harapan candidate in Sungai Besar," Azmin said at a breaking fast event here, with Azhar at his side.

Azmin however did not entirely throw away PAS candidate Dr Rani Osman, whom he said was a friend in the state assembly.

"I pray that he forges ahead with the determination that Putrajaya's despotism must be dismantled."

Rani had gatecrashed the Amanah event, saying it was open for all, and was given a warm welcome by Amanah and Pakatan Harapan.

This is Azmin's first appearance on the campaign trail since nomination day, causing some, including PAS and Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin, to say that the menteri besar was torn between the Islamist party and Amanah.

Sultan's blessing

Azmin however reiterated what PKR has been saying, that he is busy accompanying Selangor Sultan Shariffudin Idris Shah for Ramadan events.

However he said he had received the sultan's blessing to be in Sungai Besar today and on Friday, and in Kuala Kangsar on Thursday.

He also trained his guns on Khairy who had been taking pot shots at his absence.

"This is Umno's mentality. I don't have to go the extra mile in Sungai Besar simply because of a by-election.

"That is Umno's way, when there is a by-election only will they come to help the people."

He added unlike Umno, the opposition led Selangor state government has been actively helping the people since 2008

Meanwhile during the event Azmin presented an allocation of RM30,000 for the Binjai Jaya mosque, which he says was requested for before the by-election.