KKB by-election: DAP welcomes Barisan's decision to support Pakatan candidate

KULAI: DAP has welcomed Umno and Barisan Nasional's decision to fully support the Pakatan Harapan candidate in the upcoming Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election.

DAP national publicity secretary Teo Nie Ching said that no discussion had been held yet by the party to determine the candidate for the now-vacant state assembly seat.

"On behalf of DAP, I would like to thank Umno and Barisan president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi for his call to give full support for our candidate in the coming by-election.

"At the same time, we have not held any talks about who will replace the late Lee Kee Hiong out of respect for the family.

"The funeral is expected to be held this Monday (March 25)... perhaps after that we can discuss the matter," she said when met by reporters after a mock cheque and water tank handover ceremony at Dewan Komuniti Kampung Sri Muar, Layang-Layang here on Saturday (March 23).

On Friday (March 22), Ahmad Zahid was reported as saying that Umno and Barisan would respect the candidate who contests the Kuala Kubu Baharu state assembly seat.

"We feel that even though the number of Malay voters in Kuala Kubu Baharu constituency has increased to around 50%, in the spirit of respect within the Madani government, our friends in Umno and Barisan Nasional component parties must respect that the seat belongs to our friends in the unity government.

"Whoever is chosen as a candidate by the unity government chairman, Umno, Barisan and the friends of Barisan election machinery will support that candidate," he said.

Three-term Kuala Kubu Baharu assemblyman Lee Kee Hiong passed away on Thursday (March 21) morning.

Lee had been its assemblyman since May 2013.