By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal (Malaysian Insider)
KUALA LUMPUR, March 29 — PKR strategist Chua Tian Chang (picture) said today that PKR was not in a rush to announce its candidate for the Hulu Selangor candidacy, which fell vacant following the death of PKR MP Datuk Dr. Zainal Abidin Ahmad last Thursday.
Chua told reporters in Parliament that there was no need for PKR to make an announcement of its candidate before rival Barisan Nasional does so.
He however stopped short of confirming that “playing the waiting game” would be PKR’s strategy.
“No, I’m not saying that. I don’t know the strategy. I’m just saying that in my view. Strategically I don’t see why we need to rush and announce the candidate before BN announces it.”
“It’s something that I don’t think is my top priority at the moment,” said Chua.
The PKR strategist stated that PKR is instead more focused on hearing out the concerns if the grassroots, and finding out the grassroots’ assessment of PR governance in Selangor.
He also dismissed earlier reports stating that PKR is considering five short-listed names for the Hulu Selangor constituency.
“The PKR elections director (Fuziah Salleh) might have five names in her hand. I don’t think the party has discussed it yet. As elections director, she must have worked on it.”
Chua went on to clarify that the five possible names have not been confirmed.
“And I haven’t heard from her. She would most probably present it on Wednesday and we will discuss it. It is not that the party has short- listed five persons. She would have to present to the party before anything is done,” added Chua.
The Malaysian Insider had carried an earlier news report which stated that PKR is in the process of considering five names for its candidate in the up-coming Hulu Selangor by-election.
The Election Commission (EC) will decide this Friday on the nomination and election dates for the semi-rural parliamentary constituency.
Speculation has revolved around PKR Youth Chief Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin, MTUC President Syed Shahir Syed Mohamud who is also Kelana Jaya PKR chief, his counterpart from Sabak Bernam Badrul Amin, lawyer and activist N. Surendran and Datuk Zaid Ibrahim.
“We have received three to five names. The leadership will consider them,” Fuziah had told The Malaysian Insider.
A PKR weekly political bureau meeting which will be held on Wednesday is also expected to focus on the issue of the Hulu Selangor candidate.