Khalid's Titiwangsa move a sacrifice - Amanah polls director

Amanah election director Asmuni Awi has confirmed that veteran party leader Khalid Abdul Samad will be moving from his stronghold of Shah Alam to contest in Titiwangsa for the 15th general election (GE15).

“Amanah’s decision to nominate Khalid for the Titiwangsa MP seat is an extraordinary sacrifice. Leaving Shah Alam is not an easy decision.

“He has dominated this parliamentary seat for three terms and in the last GE, Khalid obtained a majority of 33,849, showing that his leadership is accepted by all parties,” said Asmuni.

Khalid first won in Shah Alam in 2008 and has retained the seat with a bigger majority in subsequent elections.

Asmuni said the party is aware that running in Titiwangsa will be a fierce challenge for Khalid.

“He will risk his excellent record as Minister of Federal Territories to ensure that Titiwangsa remains within the Pakatan Harapan family.”

Yesterday, Malaysiakini reported that Federal Territories Umno chief Johari Abdul Ghani is said to be making a comeback in the Titiwangsa seat.

The seat was won by Bersatu’s Rina Harun in GE14, who contested under the Harapan banner, as she obtained 23,840 votes in a three-way fight with Johari (19,701) and PAS’ Mohamad Noor Mohamad (6,845).

It is understood that Rina, who was previously the Sepang Umno Puteri chief, will be running in Sepang under Bersatu’s banner for GE15.

Other names reported to be contesting in Titiwangsa include Muda’s Siti Rahayu Baharin (Cikgu Ayu), Bersatu’s Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal, and PAS central committee member Dr Rosni Adam.

No choice but to fight

Asmuni, who chairs Perak Amanah, also lauded the risk taken by PKR president Anwar Ibrahim in running for the Tambun parliamentary seat.

“It is common knowledge that the general election this time will take place in the uncertain atmosphere of the monsoon season and there is a risk of low voter turnout.

“There is no choice but for Harapan to fight to save the country and the people with determination to win and establish a government at the federal and state levels.

“Anwar’s move is challenging and risky but, at the same time, it makes sure that we fight as hard as possible to ensure the victory of the people at the polls on Nov 19,” he said.

Asmuni added that eliminating corruption, providing quality employment opportunities to locals, and restoring the country's image through political and economic stability was the aim of the Harapan coalition.

Time to make way

Meanwhile, Khalid expressed his gratitude to Shah Alam voters and said it was a privilege serving them since 2008.

He said he would leave Shah Alam willingly, hinting that the constituency will be in good hands.

“I am particular about Shah Alam and I will not surrender the seat to someone I do not believe in. So the new candidate is someone from the grassroots and someone who is in Shah Alam even before I was the MP in 2008.

“I have been the Shah Alam MP for three terms and during this time, we have developed our second liners and I think it is time for me to make way for them to take over.”

Khalid also revealed that he will not be the only incumbent Amanah lawmaker who will move to another constituency.

He said this is because the party heeds the concern expressed by current leaders to make way for younger candidates.

“Out of 11 incumbent MPs we have, a minimum of five or six will make way for new faces, that includes me. They may move to other seats to give these seats to younger leaders,” he said.

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