Star Online today named him as political analyst Assoc Prof Dr Shaharuddin Badaruddin.
It said the professor was “a top choice” by the PKR leadership to mount a strong challenge to Barisan Nasional (BN) in the contest for the parliamentary seat.
The only problem is to convince PAS to make it a straight fight with BN, in exchange for PAS contesting in the other by-election in Kuala Kangsar on the same date.
The report said negotiations were going on between Selangor Menteri Besar Azmin Ali, who is PKR deputy president, and state PAS leaders on this.
The news portal noted that Shaharuddin is the only PKR vice-president who is not an elected representative.
Amanah, which is part of the Pakatan Harapan Opposition bloc, is willing to make way for a PKR candidate, a source told the portal.
“If PAS were to contest, DAP would not campaign in the by-election.
“This could be a big loss for Pakatan as DAP’s Sekinchan assemblyman Ng Suee Lim carries a lot of weight in the area,’’ a source was reported as saying.
The Sekinchan and Sungai Panjang state assembly seats come under the Sungai Besar parliamentary seat constituency.
Nomination for the by-elections is on June 5.
An earlier report by Malay Mail Online, quoted Amanah communications director Khalid Samad as saying Azmin was hoping to tie the deal with PAS by Monday.
“I am not sure how the MB plans on convincing PAS.
“I do not think that they will agree… but he has until Monday to convince them,” the Shah Alam MP was quoted as saying.
Khalid said the Pakatan Harapan presidential council was set to meet next week to decide on the candidates for both the Sungai Besar and Kuala Kangsar by-elections.
He said his party’s main priority was to ensure a Pakatan Harapan candidate contests both by-elections.
“We want a Pakatan Harapan candidate as it would indicate to voters that we are united as a coalition and are able to send in someone who represents all parties (in Pakatan Harapan).”
However, earlier reports had said PAS President Abdul Hadi Awang was intent on contesting in both by-elections.
Hadi was reported to be even prepared to lose its three Exco seats in the Selangor Government if this move angers Azmin.
Azmin was said to have threatened these Exco members with expulsion if PAS goes ahead with its plans. But conflicting opinions were later expressed on whether this was true.