PETALING JAYA: Perikatan Nasional is expected to field a Malay candidate from either Bersatu or Gerakan for the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election, according to sources.
Sources familiar with ongoing discussions within Perikatan said that surveys conducted by election experts have indicated that a Malay candidate would have an upper hand in the upcoming by-election.
“So far, there are two candidates nominated, one from Gerakan and one from Bersatu,” said the source.
According to the source, Bersatu has nominated its Hulu Selangor division chief Khairul Azhari Saut as a candidate.
On the other hand, Gerakan nominated Muniraa Abu Bakar to contest at Kuala Kubu Baharu. Muniraa had contested the Bukit Lanjan seat in the state election last year.
Muniraa, when contacted, did not confirm if she was being nominated as a candidate.
“Whatever decision from Perikatan, even if I’m not selected, I will still give full support to Perikatan, as long as we win the seat,” said Muniraa.
Muniraa also said this would be a great opportunity for Perikatan to show its supporters that it values female representation in politics.
“At the moment, Selangor only has one female state assemblyman... I think this is a good chance for Perikatan to show the values it champions to society,” added Muniraa.
Perikatan is scheduled to announce its Kuala Kubu Baharu candidate at an event in Batang Kali at 9pm on Thursday (April 25).
Earlier Wednesday, sources in Pakatan Harapan have also said that Housing and local government minister Nga Kor Ming’s aide - Pang Sock Tao- is likely to be fielded as a DAP candidate in the upcoming Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election.
The Kuala Kubu Baharu seat became vacant on March 21, when its assemblyman, Lee Kee Hiong, 58, died.
Nomination Day was on Saturday (April 26), while polling was fixed for May 11.
