Both hit the ground running

Juwairiya and Azmin operate at full speed in Hulu Kelang

GOMBAK: The battle lines between Juwairiya Zulkifli and Datuk Seri Azmin Ali for the Hulu Kelang seat have already been drawn.

Both candidates hit the ground running, stacking their weekend schedule with programmes to touch base with voters yesterday.

Juwairiya is taking on Azmin’s aggressive campaign by focusing on youth and women.

She cooked and distributed food for needy children in Taman Permata while visiting a kindergarten, where she shared her thoughts with parents on how to keep their children safe from diseases.

Campaign trail: Azmin (right) cycling with his supporters in Taman Melawati, Kuala Lumpur. — FAIHAN GHANI/The Star

The former PKR Bukit Melawati assemblyman believes her experience of growing up in the constituency gives her an advantage.

“I grew up in AU5, Taman Permata, and I went to school there. I am not an outsider as claimed by some outsiders.

“Bukit Melawati is my mother’s hometown,” said the Wanita PKR deputy chief.

As for Azmin, the Bersatu bigwig began his day with a 10km cycling trip with his supporters in Taman Melawati, where he also made regular stops to meet locals.

In the afternoon, the state Perikatan chairman went to mosques and surau to perform prayers with residents.

Juwairiya: ‘I am not an outsider as claimed by some outsiders. Bukit Melawati is my mother’s hometown.’

At a ceramah in Taman Keramat, the former Selangor mentri besar pledged to redevelop strata schemes and provide better facilities to the people.

“It is heartening to see the people still remember the initiatives that were taken when I was the mentri besar,” he said in a Facebook post later.

Azmin made his foray into electoral politics in 1999 after winning the Hulu Kelang seat on a PKR ticket.

He defeated Barisan Nasional in a straight fight with a 1,146-vote majority, denying the coalition its fourth consecutive victory.

In subsequent elections, he went on to contest the neighbouring Bukit Antarabangsa seat, where he was assemblyman for three consecutive terms.

Meanwhile, Juwairiya, who is also political secretary to caretaker Selangor Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, has served in Bukit Melawati since 2018.