No discussion yet on Pakatan candidate for KKB state by-election

HULU SELANGOR: No discussions have been held by the Prime Minister on the Pakatan Harapan candidate for the Kuala Kubu Baharu state by-election in Selangor.

“I haven’t discussed it (the by-election) with anybody,” Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the Pakatan chairman, told reporters briefly when attending the Hari Raya Aidilfitri feast and Friday prayers at Masjid Bandar Utama Batang Kali here yesterday.

The Election Commission has fixed May 11 as polling day for the by-election, with nominations on April 27 and early voting on May 7.

The seat fell vacant following the death of its three-term assemblyman Lee Kee Hiong of DAP on March 21. Lee, 58, died after battling cancer for several years.

Meanwhile, at the event, Anwar joined nearly 500 congregants for Friday prayers at the mosque.

The Prime Minister was welcomed by former Selangor mentri besar Tan Sri Muhammad Muhammad Taib, state housing and culture committee chairman Borhan Aman Shah and mosque officials on his arrival at about 12.30pm yesterday, Bernama reported.

Before Friday prayers, Anwar had joined the congregation in listening to a sermon on welcoming the month of Syawal.

Earlier, the Prime Minister had lunch with the local community and took time to mingle with mosque officials and congregants during the Hari Raya Aidilfitri feast held in the mosque compounds. Also present was Selangor police chief Comm Datuk Hussein Omar Khan.

Later, in a post on his Facebook account, Anwar wrote that he is confident in the ability of Malaysians to realise the country’s potential in economic development, especially in high-value investments.

Sharing a video report from the World Economic Forum (WEF) Facebook page on Malaysia’s growing potential in the semiconductor industry today, Anwar said the Madani government is committed to building a new, high-tech and innovation-driven future for the country.

“With high-value investments from global firms, resulting in high-paying jobs for more Malaysians. I have absolute confidence in the potential of every Malaysian, in the bright prospects for our economy, and in our shared future as a nation,” Anwar posted.

The WEF video report highlighted that Malaysia, especially Penang, is emerging as a new semiconductor powerhouse after the state secured US$12.8bil (RM60bil) in foreign direct investment in 2023.