The Malaysian Insight

THREE of the four candidates in the Semenyih by-election are locals but Pakatan Harapan’s Muhammad Aiman Zainali has the edge over the other two because he represents the ruling coalition and the powers invested in it, said Bersatu president Muhyiddin Yassin.

Aiman will be able to bring development to Semenyih more easily than other candidates, Muhyiddin said on nomination day in Kajang today.

“He is the best choice and most well received in general; is very qualified, and is a young person.

“Logically, if he wins and represents Semenyih, it will be easy for him to carry out his duties and receive assistance from the state government or from the federal government,” Muhyiddin, who is the Home Minister, said.

Aiman faces Barisan Nasional’s Zakaria Hanafi and Parti Sosialis Malaysia’s Nik Aziz Afiq Abdul, who are both also local to the area.

The fourth candidate is independent Kuan Chee Heng, a social activist.

Aiman is the son-in-law of the the late Semenyih assemblyman, Bakhtiar Mohd Nor, whose death triggered the by-election

Polling is on March 2.

The results will not change the composition of the state or federal government but it is expected to be a gauge for the viability of the pact between PAS and Umno in wresting the Malay vote from PH.

BN lynchpin party Umno lost the seat for the first time in the general election last year.

Muhyiddin said there were several issues in Semenyih that PH would work at resolving, such as traffic congestion, floods and difficult access to healthcare due to congestion at the nearest hospital in Kajang. – February 16, 2019.