“We represent the majority of PKR assemblymen from the two states,” said Kota Anggerik assemblyman Yaacob Sapari.
The announcement was made during a press conference which was also attended by four other Selangor assemblymen including Dr Xavier Jayakumar (Sri Andalas), Nik Nazmi Nik Ismail (Sri Setia), Amirudin Shari (Batu Caves) and Shuhaimi Shafie (Seri Muda)
Yaacob, who is also a Selangor executive councillor, said the other eight lawmakers from the two states were unable to attend today’s event.
PKR has a total of 18 state lawmakers in Selangor and Negri Sembilan.
The others endorsing Azmin from Selangor are Rodziah Ismail (Batu Tiga), Lee Lim Sin (Kajang), Haniza Talha (Taman Medan) and Gan Pei Nei (Rawang).
The state lawmakers from Negri Sembilan include Aminudin Harun (Sikamat), Rashid Latif (Ampangan), Ravi Munusamy (Port Dickson) and Chai Tong Chai (Lukut).
Yaacob said Azmin, who is both Gombak MP and Bukit Antarabangsa assemblyman is a senior party leader who is well qualified to take over from current PKR number two Dr Syed Husin Ali, who has remained mum on whether he will be contesting.
In endorsing Azmin, Yaakop said they were not attacking other parties, including Syed Husin or Datuk Zaid Ibrahim, who announced on Saturday that he would also be contest the post of deputy president.
Zaid who is a PKR supreme council member claims that dirty tactics have been used to undermine his chances since he announced his intention to contest.
But the group today denied had any ill intent against anyone.
“It is part of democratic process to endorse candidates,” said Yaakob.
His Exco colleague Dr Xavier Jayakumar added that their nomination of Azmin Ali was nothing extraordinary.
“We are not stopping anyone else from contesting,” he said.
He pointed out that lobbying for position in political party elections is also nothing new.
Shuhaimi added that they were happy with Dr Syed Husin’s contribution to the party but felt Azmin could strengthen PKR ahead of the next general elections.
The majority of PKR’s 24 MP have also thrown their support behind Azmin, who is currently a party vice-president and PKR Selangor chief.
Some 400,000 members and 218 divisions will cast their ballots in the elections from Sept 17 until Nov 21.