KKB by-election: Voters wanted a Malay candidate, say Perikatan leaders

HULU SELANGOR: A large number of voters in Kuala Kubu Baharu want a Malay candidate, say Perikatan Nasional leaders over the coalition’s decision to field Hulu Selangor Bersatu acting division chief Khairul Azhari Saut.

Perikatan chairman and Bersatu president Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said it was the voters who asked for a Malay candidate to be given an opportunity.

He also said that 47% of the electorate in the constituency are Malay voters followed by 30% Chinese voters, 18% Indian voters and 5% made up of others, including Orang Asli communities.

“If there is a high turnout among Malay voters, we will win. We have our own strategies for the campaign,” he told reporters outside the nomination centre here on Saturday (April 27).

Similarly, Bersatu’s Selangor chief Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali said this was in line with the wishes of voters here, pointing out how Kuala Kubu Baharu was a mixed seat.

“We are confident that with the current sentiments and people's support, we can make a breakthrough,” he said.

He added that Perikatan’s candidate Khairul Azhari was not just a candidate for the Malays, but all Malaysians.

“We are an inclusive party that will serve all. There are several local issues, and our candidate will give their best service.

“We also want to increase the number of Opposition representatives in the Selangor state assembly as we can give a better check and balance, which ultimately benefits the people,” he said.

Khairul Azahari is in a four-cornered fight for the Kuala Kubu Baharu state seat.

He is up against Pakatan Harapan’s Pang Sock Tao, Parti Rakyat Malaysia’s Hafizah Zainuddin and independent Nyau Ke Xin.

On April 4, the Election Commission (EC) set May 11 as polling day for the Kuala Kubu Baru by-election, with nomination and early voting on April 27 and May 7, respectively.

The seat became vacant following the death of its incumbent Lee Kee Hiong from DAP on March 21.

Lee, 58, who had been the Kuala Kubu Baru assemblyman under the Hulu Selangor parliamentary constituency since 2013, had battled cancer for several years.

The by-election is the seventh to be held after the 15th General Election (GE15) in 2022.

The electoral roll for the Kuala Kubu Baru by-election comprises 40,226 registered voters consisting of 39,362 regular voters, 625 police personnel, 238 military personnel and spouses and one absentee voter residing abroad.