GOMBAK, July 14 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim held an intimate meet-and-greet with Gombak voters here this afternoon, as his coalition bids to defend the Gombak Setia legislature seat whose incumbent elected representative defected from PKR in the 2020 power grab that caused the fall of the first Pakatan Harapan (PH) federal government.

The visit was likely a move meant to woo support ahead of the August 12 polls. Anwar first came for a quick lunch at the Sri Ayu stall here, famous for its nasi campur, where he dined alongside mostly working-class Malay customers.

Taman Sri Gombak is one of the key voting streams in Gombak Setia, a Malay super majority seat won by Muhammad Hilman Idham, the former PKR leader now with Bersatu. Muhammad Hilman was the political secretary to Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali, once Anwar’s closest confidant.

The lunch itself was quite low-key, a stark contrast to previous visits that the prime minister has been making weekly.

"Come July 29 I wish for us to strengthen the unity government so it can continue to work hard for the people. We must always use our power and influence to fight for the people," Anwar said as he gave a brief speech to surrounding customers.

Shortly after, Anwar went for Friday prayers at the Al-Khairiyah Mosque in Taman Seri Gombak, where he was greeted by several hundred people.

Together with Anwar was caretaker Selangor menteri besar Datuk Amirudin Saari, who is said to be eyeing the post for another term.

Amirudin is also the current Gombak MP, defeating incumbent Azmin at last year's general election in a tight race that saw the former win by over 10,000 votes. Azmin had represented the seat since 2008.

Also present was Gombak Umno division chief Datuk Megat Zulkarnain Omardin, who lost to Muhammad Hilman in the 14th general election. Speculation is growing that he could be the unity government's candidate for the Gombak Setia seat in a compromise that Amirudin had described as a sort of goodwill gesture from PH to Barisan Nasional.

Megat Zulkarnain garnered over 11,000 votes and lost in a three-cornered fight that saw him pitted against PAS and PKR.

PAS is also known to have a strong footing in Gombak.