GOMBAK (July 29): Swarms of Perikatan Nasional (PN) supporters were seen escorting the coalition’s candidates for three state constituencies under the Gombak parliamentary seat into the nomination centre on Saturday morning (July 29).

Former prime minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin was among those in the large crowd walking side-by-side with Hulu Kelang candidate Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali as he entered SMK Sungai Pusu to submit his nomination.

The large PN crowd formed a stark contrast with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s smaller entourage. 

The PKR president arrived early to endorse Pakatan Harapan (PH) and Barisan Nasional (BN) candidates, including Azmin’s protégé Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, who is contesting for the Sungai Tua state constituency.

“These seats [in Gombak] are interesting to watch, because PH has the highest Malay support here across the nation,” said Ibrahim Ben Suffian, a co-founder of Merdeka Centre.

Nonetheless, the political analyst told The Edge that he does not foresee the PH-BN government falling in Selangor despite the rising support for PN.

“Malay voters are only 54% in Selangor, so even with strong support for PN, the non-Malays are known to have strong support for PH, so I do not foresee the Selangor government to fall,” he said when met at the nomination centre here.

Apart from Anwar, Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil, former education minister Dr Mazlee Malik, together with several other BN leaders like Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, Datuk Seri Bung Mokhtar Radin and MCA's Mah Hang Soon were also present to show support.

“They (PN supporters) are known to be more vocal. I believe there are many middle ground voters who are not as vocal,” said a PH supporter here.

At PN’s side, other than Muhyiddin, former federal territories minister Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim was also seen here to endorse PN candidates.

Upon closing of nomination, Election Commission officials announced that Sungai Tua and Gombak Setia will see a three cornered-fight between the candidates from the unity government, PN, and one independent candidate for each seat.

Caretaker Selangor Menteri Besar Amirudin will be defending the Sungai Tua seat against PAS Youth secretary Muhammad Hanif Jamaluddin and independent candidate Suman Gopal.

In Gombak Setia, BN Selangor chairman Datuk Megat Zulkarnain Omardin will be contesting against Azmin's former political secretary Muhammad Hilman Idham and independent candidate Mohamed Salim Mohamed Ali.

Azmin, meanwhile, will face a straight fight against Amirudin’s political secretary and Bukit Melawati incumbent Juwairiya Zulkifli.

No candidates were rejected in Gombak.

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