State polls: Azmin rules out contesting in hometown Hulu Kelang

PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali has ruled out contesting in Hulu Kelang, quashing rumours that he is making a return to his hometown.

The incumbent Bukit Antarabangsa assemblyman and Perikatan Nasional information chief said it is naive for those to claim that he would be contesting in Hulu Kelang purely because the service centre has been turned into an operations room.

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“I have been offered seats In Hulu Kelang, Morib, Batu Tiga and a few others but I won't be standing in Hulu Kelang just because that is my kampung,” said the former Selangor mentri besar.

Azmin who is now leading the Perikatan election team in Selangor said Perikatan has activated their service centres as operation rooms across the state since June 23, after the state assembly was dissolved.

"Do not read too much into service centres being turned into operation rooms as this is happening all over Selangor since June 23 when the state assembly was dissolved.

“We then turned all our service centres into operation rooms to get ready for the elections but the local councils have continuously harassed us by taking away our flags and tents,” he said.

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Azmin said the Perikatan top leadership would decide who will contest in their respective seats during the state election and that he was offered other seats to stand in as well.

"Hulu Kelang has been my hometown since I was four years old since 1968 and yes, I have been offered to stand there but I have offers from others too.

"The party decides where one stands - not me. The Perikatan Nasional strategy is candidates who can win, which we have many of - not merely placing candidates wherever - they must be candidates who can serve the people,” he said.

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A portal reported an unnamed source stating that Azmin was "almost confirmed" to stand in Hulu Kelang as he had won the seat in 1999 and the service centre there had been operating as a Perikatan elections operations room recently.

There were also frequent visits by Azmin to Hulu Kelang joining the locals such as participating in Hari Raya Aidiladha celebrations and visiting the local markets with top Perikatan leaders, fuelling rumours that he would be contesting in the area.

The incumbent Hulu Kelang state assemblyman is Saari Sungib from Pakatan Harapan who held the seat since 2008.