Unity govt may announce KKB candidate two days before nomination day, says Zambry

KUALA LUMPUR: The unity government may announce its candidate for the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election about two days before nomination day on April 27, says Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir.

“Maybe in two days before the nomination day,” said the Barisan Nasional secretary-general, who is tasked with coordinating the unity government’s campaigns in the May 11 by-election.

Zambry said the unity government is currently identifying the best candidate for the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election.

“It won’t be a candidate from a party, but we want to introduce them as a candidate of the unity government,” said Zambry.

Zambry said this after the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Sandbox launch at the Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology and Innovation (Mranti) Park in Bukit Jalil on Thursday (April 18).

Zambry said that he is tasked, together with DAP organising secretary Steven Sim, with heading preliminary preparations for the by-election and ensuring that all parties under the unity government are working as a team.

“We have made several early preparations, such as monitoring the situation in Kuala Kubu Baharu in terms of its voters.

“Most importantly, we carry the message of the government that this is an administration that practices moderate politics. That is our motto,” said Zambry.

The unity government leadership council met on Wednesday evening (April 17), and they decided to appoint Zambry and Sim to coordinate the coalition campaigns for the upcoming by-election.

The by-election is being held to fill in the vacancy caused by incumbent Kuala Kubu Baharu assemblyman Lee Kee Hiong’s death recently.

Sources have said that there are several potential DAP candidates to represent the unity government, among them Selangor party deputy chairman Gobind Singh’s political secretary Mandeep Singh.

There was also talk that DAP may field a female municipal councillor at the by-election.

The Kuala Kubu Baharu seat was held by DAP since 2013.

Nomination day for the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election is on April 27, while polling is on May 11.