GE14 | Selangor BN's announcement of its candidates for the coming general election was interrupted by power failure, not once, but five times, at the state Umno building in Shah Alam.

Making light of the situation, Selangor BN chairperson Noh Omar said the blackout reflected the current situation of the state.

“When the light is out, there is fear that the appointment letters (for candidates) may switch hands. But this is the challenge we face.

“We are only momentarily in darkness. Selangor has been in darkness for two terms.

“Insya Allah, BN will brighten Selangor once again,” he added to cheers and applause from those present.

Selangor was once considered a BN fortress. It fell into the hands of Pakatan Harapan's predecessor Pakatan Rakyat during the 2008 general election.

The coalition retained its grip on power in the last general election in 2013.

Of the 56 state seats in Selangor, Umno would be contesting in 35, MCA (14), Gerakan (4) and MIC (3).

Following the 2013 national polls, Umno won 12 seats, DAP (15), PKR (14) and PAS (15).

However, the equation changed with two state assemblypersons becoming independents. The two are former menteri besar Abdul Khalid Ibrahim from PKR and DAP's Loh Chee Heng.

Apart from this, PAS lost two of its seats when the splinter party Amanah was formed.