The former PKR vice-president won the Ampang seat on a Pakatan Harapan (PH) ticket in the last general election (GE14) but joined Bersatu following the Sheraton Move in 2020. She quit the party to join PBM earlier this year.

She will face Rodziah Ismail from Pakatan Harapan, Ivone Low (Barisan Nasional), Sasha Lyna Abdul Latif (Perikatan Nasional), Nurul Ashikin Mabahwi (Pejuang), Lai Wai Chong (Warisan), and three independent candidates, Tan Hua Meng, Shafiq Izwan Yunos and M Raveendran.

Returning officer Fauzi Yatim confirmed that the nine had been accepted as candidates after nominations closed at the Dato’ Ahmad Razali Hall here at 10am.

“I am very happy because Ampang has never been this crowded, which means that democracy has matured in this country,” Zuraida said after handing in her nomination papers.

“This is something that needs to be celebrated.”

Her toughest challenge is expected to come from PKR’s Rodziah, who is a two-term Selangor executive councillor.