BUKIT FRASER: The coming Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election on May 11 will serve as a referendum of the unity government on the promises it made during the last general election, says Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
The Bersatu president said that times have changed from the last general election and state elections as the voters have become wiser amid economic difficulties.
Muhyiddin, who is also the Perikatan Nasional chairman, said this at the Bersatu Hari Raya Open House held at Fraser Valley here on Sunday (April 21), which was also attended by Perikatan component party leaders.
Muhyiddin said that the name of the Perikatan candidate would be finalised on Monday (April 22) and announced on Thursday (April 25).
He added that the candidate should preferably be a local with a clean record from the police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission and is not bankrupt.
Muhyiddin said that local sentiments will be the priority in choosing the candidate, while not replying to questions if the candidate should be a Malay.
“The people have become wiser now, as compared to the last general and state election when they voted for DAP.
“The state assembly seat has 46% Malays, 30 % Chinese, 18% Indians and 5% Orang Asli and others. This is the breakdown of the area's profile.
“It is the people’s sentiments which overwrites the issue of race. As to Parti Gerakan having announced that it wants to contest the seat, it is their interest to contest.
"We have yet to decide,” said Muhyiddin, who said that Perikatan's top leadership would meet to decide on the candidate on Monday.
On projects being announced by the Federal Government for the state constituency, Muhyiddin said that while this is an attempt to fish for the people’s votes, million-ringgit projects meant nothing when the people are struggling to put food on the table.
“This by-election will be a challenging one and we will fight to wrest the seat, although it may not change the state government’s status quo.
“It is not right for the Federal Government to announce allocations of millions of ringgit for projects in the Kuala Kubu Baharu state constituency with the by-election looming but I do not think the voters would be swayed.
“What is the point when people’s lives are still difficult?" he asked.
On April 18, Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming had unveiled an allocation of RM5.21mil for Hulu Selangor residents, which will also be used for projects in Kuala Kubu Baharu.
Muhyddin also took a potshot at Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli who had announced the rationalisation of diesel subsidies recently.
“The people are feeling pressured by the government’s policies. The 'Minister of Formula' has already said that the subsidy rationalisation would be implemented in June and July and had asked everyone to be prepared for petrol prices to increase.
"The burden of the already-burdened people will then increase further,” said Muhyiddin.
Muhyiddin further said that if the Kuala Kubu Baharu voters voted for Perikatan in the by-election, it would send a strong signal to the Federal Government that the people are tired of being economically burdened.
He said as the Opposition, if Perikatan wins, it will bring the voice of the people to the state assembly.
Earlier, in his speech at the Bersatu Hari Raya Open House, Muhyiddin said that judging from the crowd which attended the event, he was confident that Perikatan has much support in the area.
