PN sets sights on Selangor in GE15

Perikatan Nasional (PN) will focus its efforts on capturing Selangor at the 15th general election (GE15), state PN chairman Mohamed Azmin Ali says. 

"We are confident that the people have high hopes on PN returning to power, not only at the central level," he said at an event in Shah Alam last night. 

"This (Selangor) is PN's focus state in GE15." 

Selangor is currently held by Pakatan Harapan (PH), which comprises PKR, DAP and Amanah. 

It was a Barisan Nasional (BN) stronghold prior to the opposition's 2008 victory in the state. 

At the event last night, Bersatu and PAS were given the responsibility of coordinating work in nine areas in Selangor while the remaining four areas were delegated to Gerakan. 

PN chairman Muhyiddin Yassin said this was only for administrative purposes, and that no decision had been made on candidates. 

"The chief coordinator might be from Bersatu, but the candidate will not necessarily be from the same party," he said, adding that the same would go for other parties in the coalition. 

"We have not yet decided on candidates. This will be finalised at a PN meeting." 

Azmin, who is also international trade and industry minister, said that diversity was PN's main asset for GE15 and the main threat to its opponents. 

He acknowledged differences in opinion among PN leaders but said these would not stand in the way of cooperation in making decisions that benefit the people. 

He also spoke of efforts to divide the PN components, adding however that the coalition was on the right track. 

"The closer we get to the date of the election, the more the slander," he said. 

"We are attacked on a daily basis, but this shows that we are strong. When we are trodden on, it means that we are still relevant to the people." 

On speculation that Parliament might be dissolved on Friday, Azmin said this would be a heartless act given that the people were still struggling with all manner of hardships. 

"Why the rush?" he added. "PN has already spoken openly about this, so that the people will know that we are against any move to dissolve Parliament now."