GE15: Azmin faces five-cornered fight in Gombak after brother Diva AA back out

PETALING JAYA: Incumbent Gombak MP Datuk Seri Azmin Ali (PN-Bersatu) beamed a warm smile as he walked calmly into the SMK Sungai Pusu nomination centre for the 15th General Election (GE15) despite facing the prospect of a five-cornered fight.

The caretaker International Trade and Industry Minister, a three-term Gombak MP, is being challenged by Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari (PH-PKR), Gombak Barisan Nasional-Umno chief Datuk Megat Zulkarnain Omar Din, Gerakan Tanah Air’s Datuk Dr Aziz Jamaludin Mhd Tahir and independent candidate Zulkifli Ahmad, a retired engineer from the Public Works Department, Kuala Lumpur.

Azmin, who is defending his parliamentary seat for a fourth term, wore a light blue baju Melayu and arrived at 8.45am. He was greeted by a huge crowd of supporters.

“Azmin is our man,” shouted Ahmad Alias, 45, an accountant, who was in the crowd.

Azmin shook hands and hugged Amirudin at the entrance of the nomination centre while waiting to enter the hall and both men stood for photos to be taken.

Amirudin had earlier gathered at the Jambatan Besar Sungai Chinchin, Kampung Sungai Chinchin, with his supporters for the 1.3km march to the nomination centre.

Megat Zulkarnain, being a local from Kampung Gombak and the son of the late Tan Sri Omardin Mauju, founder of the Silat Lincah Martial Arts Association, believes that this time the Malays, Chinese and Indians would throw their support for Barisan Nasional.

Aziz Jamaludin, a former Federal Territories Syarie Court judge and Islamic Da'wah Foundation Malaysia president and former Malaysian consul to Jeddah, was also accompanied by his supporters.

Inside the nomination hall, candidates showed the returning officer their approval letter on the use of the symbol of the party they are representing while submitting their papers.

Supporters had gathered as early as 7am and later marched towards the centre to accompany candidates to file their nomination papers, causing traffic to stall.

Early voting is set for Nov 15, followed by nationwide polling on Nov 19.