Harakahdaily


SHAH ALAM, Jan 2 : PKR has denied a news report that its Hulu Selangor member of Parliament Zainal Abidin Ahmad had resigned and a by-election was on the cards.

“No, it is not true,” PKR director of strategy Tian Chua told Harakahdaily. “In fact, Dr Zainal himself is due to speak at the ceramah on Saturday night.”

Speculation and by-election fever had been stirred by the star-studded ceramah, due to be led by Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim himself. Mentri Besar Khalid Ibrahim and most of the state exco, along with national leaders like Tian, are also expected to hit the trail and go on stage to promote their mandate.

By-election fever

It was also reported that Prime Minister Najib Razak would visit the constituency on Jan 9. This added to the rumours that Zainal, known to be suffering from ill health, had quit and the first by-election for 2010 was on.

“Zainal is not well and he may not take part in the next general election. But right now, he can still cope with his duties and finish his term," said a party insider.

"Why the sudden interest in Hulu Selangor then? I think the timing is coincidental. But definitely both sides are preparing for the big one and that may come sooner rather than later.”