PETALING JAYA: Selangor will be Perikatan Nasional's frontline for the upcoming state elections, says Selangor Perikatan liaison secretary Dr Afif Bahardin(pic).
"It is a 'frontline' state to capture. It is also a foothold for us in national politics," he said.
"Our studies show there is a potential for Perikatan (to win) in Selangor – the reason being its demography and also because people are generally dissatisfied with the Federal government at the moment under PMX (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim)," added Dr Afif.
"This is what Perikatan is going to capitalise on to make inroads. We are coming as the underdog, but nothing is impossible in politics," he told The Star.
Dr Afif added that Pakatan supporters have many grouses, amongst others, on the perceived lack of effective federal government economic policies for the country.
"People are suffering and things are not looking too good for Malaysia at the moment," he said.
He said Selangor had always been a catalyst for change, giving the example of the time Pakatan unseated the Barisan administration.
Dr Afif said Perikatan was finalising its manifesto and would announce it soon.
Perikatan will be contesting all 56 seats in the state.
Coalition candidates, he said, would be a combination of those who have served in Selangor as well as new faces.
"Perikatan will field some young professionals who have credibility," said Dr Afif.
The Election Commission (EC) announced earlier Wednesday (July 5) that polling day for all six state assemblies will be on Aug 12, and nomination day on July 29. Early voting will take place on Aug 8.
