KUALA LUMPUR: The Selangor state election is considered the last chance for former Gombak Member of Parliament, Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali to prove his ability and whether he is still relevant in the nation's political arena.

Former Umno Youth Information chief Shahril Hamdan however believes that Azmin, who is also the former International Trade and Industry Minister, still has his own influence in Selangor, thus opening up opportunities for him to continue in politics in the state.

"I think this is the last chance for Azmin even though he only lost once in the last election, but I don't think his career will last in the political world.

"If he loses again, two things will happen, the nation's politics will move on without him or in Bersatu he may be dropped in favor of some other leaders," he said on the Keluar Sekejap podcast with former Umno Youth chief  Khairy Jamaluddin.

Shahril said Azmin is currently considered the most 'hated' leader by PH supporters, which is linked to the 'Sheraton Move' in 2020.

"If you ask PH supporters, the most disliked figure is Azmin. Many observers think it will be the end of Azmin.But he has something (influence) in Selangor that is not there in other states.

"If he goes to Kuala Lumpur or Johor, that influence can't be seen, but in Selangor he has an undeniable aura," he said while explaining that the influence was due to his service when he was the Selangor Menteri Besar previously.

In the state elections this time, Azmin is contesting in the Hulu Kelang state seat, moving away from the Bukit Antarabangsa seat which he previously held. He is up against Juwariya Zulkifly, the former political secretary to the Selangor Menteri Besar, Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.

Juwairiya, who is also Wanita PKR deputy chief  and previously the Bukit Melawati state assemblyman, is an important bet for PKR in its mission to defeat the group that they describe as 'traitors' to the party.

The Hulu Kelang state seat previously held by Amanah was taken over by PKR at the last minute,  and in return PKR handed over the Batu Tiga state seat to Amanah.

In the 14th General Elections,  the Hulu Kelang state seat was won by Saari Sungip from PH representing Amanah.

In the meantime, Shahril said it was a different story for former Kepala Batas member of Parliament Datuk Seri Reezal Merican Naina Merican, whose political career is still open despite having lost in the 15th General Election (GE15).

"I think Reezal is not burdened like Azmin. It's just that he is under pressure in Penang Umno himself," he said.

Responding to Shahril's views, Khairy said that in politics, anything was possible.

"In  politics, I have learned many things that even if he (Azmin) loses several times, I think in this political world we cannot predict when a person's career will end.

"This is because we have seen the revival of the political careers of people who we felt was already at its end," he said.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2023/07/936620/what-will-happen-azmin-if-he-loses-again