Selangor PKR has identified three potential candidates to contest in the Sungai Kandis state seat in Selangor in the by-election on Aug 4.

Selangor PKR chairperson Mohamed Azmin Ali said, however, that the names would be handed over to the central leadership before being finalised.

"We have finalised three names, we will discuss this in the party political bureau meeting this evening.

"There are many qualified candidates, we have to respect the selection process, we listen to the words of the grassroots, branches and then let the central leadership decide and only after that we will announce," he told reporters after attending the open house of Menteri Besar Incorporated (MBI) at the Selangor Menteri Besar's official residence today.

Also present was Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari and Ijok state assemblyperson Dr Idris Ahmad.

Asked on the selection criteria for the three candidates, the PKR deputy president declined to elaborate but did not dismiss a female candidate for the seat.

"We will surely field a 'clean' candidate who is acceptable by the people, for a woman candidate… there is certainly no gender discrimination.

"And with the credibility brought by Mat Shuhaimi Shafiei before, we believe PKR can maintain victory in the seat," he added.

Previously, three names were mentioned to fill the vacancy were former Kota Anggerik assemblyperson Yaakob Sapari and two young candidates, Mohd Radzlan Jalaluddin and Mikael Eskandar.

Meanwhile, Amirudin said the Selangor PKR machinery was ready to face the by-election and was prepared to face any possibility of PAS and BN fielding their candidates.

"Regardless, we are ready... a one-to-one or three-cornered clash..."

The Sungai Kandis state seat is vacant following the death of incumbent Mat Shuhaimi from PKR from lymphoma cancer on July 2.

In the 14th general election, Shuhaimi defended the seat (formerly Sri Muda) for the third consecutive term with a majority of 12,480 votes in a four-cornered contest.

- Bernama