State polls: Incumbent MBs, CM are Pakatan's choice to continue, says Anwar

Anwar

SHAH ALAM: The incumbent mentris besar and chief ministers of the three states led by Pakatan Harapan are the coalition’s candidates for the top post in the state governments, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Speaking at Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s candidate announcement on Saturday (July 22), the Prime Minister said Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari will remain as the mentri besar candidate for Selangor while Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun will be the candidate for Negri Sembilan.

The PKR and Pakatan chief said the decision was taken after considering the performance of the leaders and how approachable they were to the people.

“Amirudin is among the more successful mentri besar’s in the country,” Anwar said.

Similarly, DAP’s Chow Kon Yeow will be the chief minister candidate for Penang.

“PKR also welcomes the (DAP’s) decision for Chow to remain as chief minister because of his performance,” he added.

On Aminuddin, he said the discussions to reach a decision took a while. He said the coalition decided that there is a need for continuity in the state government.

He said Pakatan had also conveyed its decision to Barisan Nasional chief Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.

Anwar said PKR’s strength does not solely lie with him and the top leadership but also the strength of the state leadership.

Nomination day for the six state polls is slated to take place on July 29 and polling is scheduled for Aug 12.

This is also the first time Pakatan will be cooperating with Barisan as part of the unity pact. Barisan is contesting a total of 108 seats.