Mat Sabu to contest Shah Alam seat

PETALING JAYA: Amanah president Mohamad Sabu is likely to contest the Shah Alam parliamentary seat in the upcoming general election.

Although this has yet to be finalised by the party, Shah Alam MP Khalid Samad said he was prepared to give up the seat to which he was elected for the past two terms.

Khalid, who is also Amanah communications director, said the party has shortlisted two constituencies which are deemed winnable – Shah Alam and Kota Raja.

“It is important for a party president to be in Parliament. If I need to give up my seat, I will do so,” he said when contacted yesterday.

Although Mohamad, who hails from Kedah, lost in the Pendang parliamentary seat during the previous general election, Khalid said this would not be an issue if he were to contest in Selangor.

“He lives with his family in Shah Alam and all his children vote here. Whether or not the people accept him, that is up to them to decide,” he added.

Asked where his next constituency would be if he no longer stood in Shah Alam, Khalid said there was a possibility that he would be moved to Johor.

Khalid said Johor would be suitable for him as he had family ties in the southern state, considering that his brother, Tan Seri Shahrir Abdul Samad, is a long-term Johor Baru parliamentarian.

He also said he was not worried about being dubbed a “parachute candidate” – an election candidate who does not live in the area he is contesting or has little connection to it.

“They can call me whatever they want but no one can deny that I have roots in Johor, as my parents are from Muar,”he added.