(From left) Muhammad Hanif, Amirudin and Suman at SMK Sg Pusu in Gombak on nomination day. – AZHAR MAHFOF/The Star
Since 2008, several people have gone up against Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari in the Selangor state polls but failed to unseat him.
The incumbent Sungai Tua assemblyman is also caretaker Selangor Mentri Besar and state Pakatan Harapan chairman.
Locals told StarMetro they were satisfied with the 43-year-old’s performance but a close fight is expected this time.
Kampung Nakhoda resident Abd Rahman Abdullah, 50, said Amirudin had cultivated a likeable image among the Malays.
“During Ramadan, he regularly shows up to perform terawih prayers at surau and mosques, which endears him to local folk.
“He also initiated various infrastructure programmes, such as upgrading the drains, which helped to resolve floods,” he said.
Rahman, however, said some were growing disenchanted by the actions of some Pakatan leaders in the unity government.
“We like him, but he has to toe the party line and follow what the leadership says,” he added.
Car mechanic and father of two Luqman Rashid, 39, from Kampung Laksamana, echoed that sentiment.
He said the unity government’s perceived inability to tackle the rising cost of living might work against Amirudin this time.
“There is also mudslinging by top Pakatan leadership at national level, which is putting off voters,” he added.
At the Aug 12 polls, Amirudin will face Perikatan Nasional’s Muhammad Hanif Jamaluddin and Independent Suman Gopal.
Suman, 36, who already contested in the 13th General Election (GE13) and lost, aims to tap into the discontentment among locals.
“Many families have become poorer after the movement control order because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Both federal and state governments have not done enough to help the needy,” he said, adding that many also lost their jobs.
Meanwhile, Hanif, 36, who is also PAS Youth secretary and Selangor PAS youth deputy chief, has been reaching out to local Indian communities.
“I received feedback from Indian communities here, saying that the Green Wave is not real and simply propaganda.
“In Kelantan, the non-Muslims are free to practise their religion and their houses of worship are allowed to continue operations,” he said.
As of 2018, Indians make up roughly one-quarter of Sungai Tua’s demographics, while Malays and Chinese comprise 60% and 13.3%, respectively.
A local, who declined to be named, said Hanif had an advantage, unlike Amirudin who had to divide his focus as he is also leading Pakatan’s campaign in Selangor.
“But Amirudin’s position as caretaker Mentri Besar and MP also ensures that he has immense clout,” he added.
Sungai Tua is one of three state seats under the Gombak parliamentary constituency, which Amirudin is serving as MP.
In GE14, he widened his majority in Sungai Tua to over 11,000 from just over 3,000 in the previous polls, winning a four-cornered fight.
Like Hanif, Amirudin has reached out to Indian voters.
He visited Kampung Indian Settlement in Batu Caves for a townhall session and was photographed wearing a floral garland.
Earlier this year, Amirudin announced a RM5.9mil fund for streetlight and pedestrian walkway upgrades in the village.
“I have been regularly coming here since 2018 for programmes.
“In Selangor, people of various races and faiths live together in harmony,” he said.
