SERI SETIA POLLS | PAS will be fielding its central committee member Dr Halimah Ali for the Seri Setia by-election.

The announcement was made by PAS president Abdul Hadi Awang in Desa Mentari, Petaling Jaya, tonight.

Halimah, a medical doctor by profession, is also the former two-term assemblyperson for the Selat Kelang state seat in Kapar, Selangor. 

She lost the seat to PKR's Abdul Rashid Asari in a five-way contest by a mere 500-vote majority in the 14th general election.

Halimah was also the former Selangor exco member in charge of education under the administration of former menteri besar Khalid Ibrahim.

Speaking at a press conference later, Hadi said PAS decided to choose Halimah due to her vast experience in the Selangor state government. 

"Her advantage is having been an influential leader in Selangor and she has contested in several general elections and won.

"Besides that, she has also served as an exco and served the public. It is crucial to have an elected representative who is not part of the (ruling) government," he said. 

According to Hadi (below), the issue PAS will be focusing on during campaigning for the by-election is the failure by the Pakatan Harapan government to fulfil their 100-day pledges. 

'Stand by me'

Meanwhile, Halimah, in her speech, said she hopes the constituents of Seri Setia will vote for her in order to form a strong opposition in Selangor. 

"Like Barrack Obama said, 'yes. we can. Although we will not become the federal government by contesting, we can pass a strong message to the government that they cannot be negligent and that we will provide check and balance.  

"Stand by me, I will stand by you. We will bring the voice of the rakyat to the state legislative assembly and show what can be done state-wise and nationwide," she said. 

The Seri Setia state seat fell vacant after its incumbent Shaharuddin Badaruddin of PKR died on Aug 2.

Shaharuddin won the seat in the recent 14th general election with a majority of 19,372 votes, defeating BN candidate Yusoff M Haniff; Mohd Ghazali Daud of PAS and independent candidate S Vigneswaran.

Also present at the PAS candidate announcement tonight were PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man, vice-president Idris Ahmad, PAS central election director Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar and Selangor PAS commissioner Sallehin Mukhyi.

BN is not fielding a candidate for this by-election to pave the way for PAS.

BN's Sungai Kandis candidate Lokman Noor Adam and Umno supporters were also present.