KLANG: Former Selangor mentri besar Dr Khir Toyo is all set to make a political comeback.

When contacted, Dr Khir said he was prepared to contest the Sungai Besar parliamentary seat and wrest it from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia’s Muslimin Yahaya.

“I have been working hard in the constituency for the last three years. Even though I was away from politics, I never left the place,” he added.

Dr Khir was Selangor mentri besar from 2000 to 2008 until Pakatan Harapan took over the state.

The three-term Sungai Panjang assemblyman was found guilty of abuse of power in 2015 and sent to jail for a year. He was granted parole after serving six months at the Kajang Prison.

Dr Khir said he was warmly received whenever he attended events in the area, which indicates that the people want him there.

However, he said he would continue to serve the people even if he was not chosen to contest in the 15th General Election.

“I am an Umno and Barisan Nasional man. What is most important to me is that we get the seat back,” said the 57-year-old dentist.

Dr Khir also said a lot of hard work and effort were needed for Barisan and Umno to secure lost ground in Selangor.

Citing Malay votes in the state as an example, he said Umno may not be able to secure 100% of the votes because the community was divided with several parties fighting to represent them.

“The best we can do is secure – not all – but the majority of the Malay votes.

“Barisan also needed to have a separate manifesto for Selangor given its demographics and economic status.

“Many of Selangor’s issues differed from the other states and hence the same manifesto may not be applicable,” he said, adding that Barisan’s manifesto for Selangor must focus on various policies as well as the state agencies’ delivery systems.

“For instance, many are not happy with state agencies such as local councils’ delivery system and our manifesto must look at reforming these institutions as well as policies relevant to them,” he said.

Selangor Umno treasurer and Sungai Besar division chief Datuk Jamal Md Yunos recently said that Dr Khir’s name was in the list of 40 candidates shortlisted to be considered for the parliamentary seat.