Last-minute seat swap leaves PKR Kota Anggerik man nervous

Najwan is slowly finding his feet in Kota Anggerik.

PAKATAN Harapan’s Najwan Halimi felt a little nervous when his name was announced as the candidate for Kota Anggerik in Shah Alam, as he was initially slated for the Seri Setia state seat.

Having to swap seats with PKR vice-president Shaharuddin Badaruddin just three days before nomination made the 33- year-old feel like he was entering an unfamiliar playing field.

Najwan described his situation as sehelai sepinggang (impoverished), but he gained confidence after receiving warm welcomes from the uncles and aunties of the Kota Anggerik area. 

“I was nervous, but the welcome I received from the people here was really nice. They helped me set up my centre immediately,” he added.

Najwan said most of them were parents of his friends from his early years in Shah Alam. 

He studied at SK Raja Muda Section 4, and today his schoolmates and seniors are helping him to campaign. 

Najwan shared his personal experience and heartfelt message with the people during a ceramah in Section 11 organised by residents. 

Opting to refrain from politicking, Najwan said he wanted instead to thank the people of Shah Alam for accepting him as a candidate. 

Also present at the event was PKR de-facto leader Anwar Ibrahim’s second daughter Nurul Nuha Anwar, Selangor Economic Adviser chief executive officer, Dr Fahmi Ngah, and Amanah’s Shah Alam candidate Khalid Abdul Samad. 

Former Kota Anggerik assemblyman Dr Yaakob Sapari also made an appearance and was seen speaking to Najwan.

Yaakob was dropped after alleged disagreements between party president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and her deputy Datuk Seri Azmin Ali on candidate names.

Word around town was that the grassroot supporters in Kota Anggerik were unhappy that Yaakob was dropped and that many had pledged to stop campaigning for the party. 

Yaakob, however, did not hesitate to endorse Najwan.

In his speech, he said although he was not fielded in Kota Anggerik, he was excited to campaign for Najwan. 

“I am more fired up to speak today even if I am not a Calon. Najwan has also promised me that he will carry on my work here,” he added.

Najwan is up against Umno’s Jumaeah Masdi and PAS candidate Ahmad Dusuki Abd Rani.