INTERVIEW | Ahmad Fahmi Hanapiah, a former village chief, has indicated his intent to represent PKR in the Sungai Kandis by-election.

The 42-year-old from Kampung Telok Menegon, Klang – who claims to have been active in PKR since its establishment – said that if he is chosen to contest in the by-election, he will focus on improving infrastructure and basic necessities in the territory.

"I will focus on fixing the drains and improving the roads, as the village is prone to floods and has not been maintained for very long. 

"Secondly, I will try to improve the socioeconomic status of the villagers, as well as their incomes, as the RM3,000 they get is insufficient for a household.

"For instance, we can implement a hydroponic programme," he said in an interview at the Malaysiakini office today.

GE14 reserve candidate

Fahmi, who holds degrees in law and intellectual property, said he was chosen as a reserve candidate by PKR for the 14th general election.

"I hope the leaders will choose a candidate which is close to the people," he said, adding that their plight is close to his heart as a grassroots leader.

As Fahmi recounted, he was also close to the late Mat Shuhaimi Shafiei. 

The Sungai Kandis state seat was vacated by the assemblyperson's death from cancer on July 2. 

Shuhaimi, Fahmi said, had entrusted him to with the post of deputy election director for Sungai Kandis in GE14. 

"We communicated often, and I always sought his advice pertaining to local issues, even though I was in Seri Andalas and he was in Seri Muda."

Check and balance

Asked if the opposition would urge voters to pick them to ensure check and balance in the Selangor Legislative Assembly, Fahmi stressed that Pakatan Harapan lawmakers could also play the same role.

"When I was village chief, I also did check and balance against the government and advised its representatives," he said.

Fahmi insisted that should he be chosen by PKR to run in the by-election, he is not afraid of having to go head-to-head with candidates from Umno or PAS.

He said he is confident that the by-election will see a turnout of over 70 percent, which will likely tip the balance in Harapan's favour.

For the Aug 4 by-election, it is learned that Kota Raja PKR has submitted the names of four potential candidates to the party's central leadership. 

Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin Shari had previously said that the PKR political bureau submitted just one name to party leaders from those suggested in a July 10 meeting.