GE14 | Selangor PAS lawmaker Khairuddin Othman has left for PKR and is expected to defend his seat as a candidate for his new party.

As a PAS candidate, Khairuddin won the Paya Jaras state assembly seat on his second attempt, securing a comfortable 14.3 percent majority over his BN opponent.

His entry into PKR was confirmed tonight during a ceramah in Sungai Buloh.

PKR deputy president Azmin Ali received his PKR membership form and described him as a "respected friend".

"Whoever who believes in Pakatan Harapan's struggle, any individuals who will prioritise the reform agenda, we welcome them to stand with Harapan," he said.

Khairuddin's problems with PAS became apparent late last year after he was unceremoniously dropped as the Selangor PAS information chief.

At the time, he speculated that the likely reason he was dropped because he was too "friendly" with Selangor government officials. 

Although PAS is at odds with DAP, PKR and Amanah, lawmakers from the four parties make up the Selangor state government on grounds that they had received the mandate to rule when they were all once part of Pakatan Rakyat.

Should Khairuddin be fielded, he will likely face a tougher contest that before.

Khairuddin will first have to deal with new electoral boundaries in the Paya Jaras, which significantly increases the number of voters which backed BN in 2013. 

He will also likely face Isham Jalil, a special officer to caretaker Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak, who is widely tipped to be BN's candidate. 

Finally, Khairuddin will also likely have to face a candidate from his former party PAS.

The general election will be called within 60 days following the dissolution of Parliament yesterday.

The Selangor state assembly is expected to be dissolved tomorrow.