Seri Setia by-election: It's Pakatan versus PAS

PETALING JAYA: The Seri Setia by-election will see a straight fight between PAS and Pakatan Harapan.

This was announced by the Election Commission (EC) after nominations closed at 10am on Saturday (Aug 18).

Pakatan Harapan's first-time candidate Halimey Abu Bakar, a former Petaling Jaya councillor, will be facing off against PAS' Dr Halimah Ali, said returning officer Datuk Mohd Azizi Mohd Zain who made the announcement at about 10.40am.

According to Mohd Azizi, Halimey submitted his nomination papers at 9.10am, while Dr Halimah submitted hers at 9.15am.

The 46-year-old Halimey arrived at the nomination centre at the Petaling Jaya Civic Hall at about 8.30am with Pakatan supporters clad in blue, while Dr Halimah arrived at the nomination centre flanked by PAS and Umno supporters clad in red and green.

Incumbent PKR president Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, deputy president Datuk Seri Azmin Ali and Selangor Mentri Besar Amirudin Shari were also at the nomination centre.

Pakatan's Halimey Abu Bakar (left) will face off against PAS' Dr Halimah Ali. - Bernama

Barisan leaders who turned up to lend their support included Umno Selangor chief Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob, Umno Wanita chief Datuk Noraini Ahmad, and Datuk Lokman Noor Adam.

Dr Halimah, a former Selangor state executive councillor, narrowly lost the Selat Klang seat in the recent general election by 500 votes to Selangor Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia chief Datuk Abdul Rashid Asari.

The Seri Setia state seat fell vacant after incumbent assemblyman and Selangor executive councillor Prof Dr Shaharuddin Badaruddin passed away on Aug 2 after a battle with cancer.

In GE14, Dr Shaharuddin won the seat for Pakatan in a four-cornered fight with a 19,372 majority.

His opponents were Barisan Nasional candidate Datuk Yusoff HM Haniff, who got 9,878 votes, PAS' Mohd Ghazali Daud (4,563 votes) and independent candidate Dr S. Vignes (217 votes).

Pakatan will be using its newly-registered logo in the Seri Setia and Balakong by-elections, which will run concurrently on Sept 8.