KUALA LUMPUR: Pas has subtly snubbed overtures to nominate Datuk Seri Azmin Ali as a Selangor menteri besar candidate in the upcoming state polls.
Pas treasurer Datuk Iskandar Abdul Samad said instead of Azmin, Selangor Pas commissioner Datuk Ahmad Yunus Hairi would be a better candidate due to his rapport with the grassroots and experience in state administration.
Azmin, formerly PKR's No. 2, was the 16th Selangor menteri besar from 2014 to 2018. He was appointed economic affairs minister after Pakatan Harapan won the 14th General Election in 2018.
Azmin is now a member of Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia, which is part of the Perikatan Nasional coalition with Pas.
He is currently Bukit Antarabangsa assemblyman.
Last week, Selangor PN election machinery deputy director Captain (Rtd) Datuk Dr Zulkafperi Hanafi said he did not rule out the possibility of Azmin returning as the state's top executive and said the opportunity remained open.
Iskandar said whether Ahmad Yunus would be nominated for the post would be decided by the Pas syura council, but he is likely to be named due to his position in Selangor Pas.
Ahmad Yunus is Sijangkang assemblyman and Kuala Langat member of parliament. He was a Selangor state executive councillor in charge of Islamic affairs, Malay customs, sports and youth.
Iskandar said there were many candidates for the post besides Azmin.
"Due to his (Ahmad Yunus') position (in Selangor Pas), naturally, he will be a candidate.
"He has the seniority and experience in state administration. He can bring changes or a breath of fresh air to the state administration.
"Moreover, Ahmad Yunus has never lost an election since 2008."
The Selangor election is expected to take place in the middle of the year. The state assembly has 56 seats, with 41 currently held by PH.
PKR vice-president Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari is currently Selangor menteri besar. He defeated Azmin in the fight for the Gombak parliamentary seat in the 15th General Election last year with a 12,729-vote majority.