Taking it easy: Kuala Kubu Baru’s street carnival livens up the town with its classic Malay-themed booths, where locals unwind on weekends. The idyllic area is set to heat up with the upcoming by-election. — Bernama
HULU SELANGOR: Despite four candidates vying for support in the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election, it is a given that the lion’s share of attention now is on the candidates from the unity government and Perikatan Nasional.
Depending on who you speak to, the “hero” for the voters are either the ruling government candidate Pang Sock Tao or Perikatan’s Khairul Azhari Saut.
Adnan Serdu, a 31-year-old Orang Asli man staying at Kampung Buloh Telor, said he will be backing Pang despite being unhappy about some issues.
One subject is the lack of proper roads in his village.
“But there have been minor improvements, which I’m thankful for. For instance, the government installed a zinc roof in my home last year.
“We just want to be looked after. I hope that if my zinc roof leaks again, the government could assist us.
“I also hope that if Pang is elected, we could have paved roads, as we are still using the gravel road here,” said Adnan.
However, for trader Jamal Arfan, 28, after one week of attending ceramah, he is leaning towards Khairul Azhari, saying that the candidate is a local.
“He tends to understand the sentiments and issues that need to be tackled.
“Several candidates stopped by to talk to me but the one that stood out was Khairul Azhari as he understood the matters I voiced out,” he said when met at Pekan Kuala Kubu Baharu.
He added that Khairul Azhari has experience in the local authority, as he is a former member of the Hulu Selangor municipal council, which he said will be a bonus if he is elected.
On Pakatan Harapan candidate Pang, Jamal said she has a manifesto, which he said is an “advantage” over Khairul Azhari.
“Pang understands the issues here despite not being a local but can she handle the pressure?” he asked.
A 26-year-old local trader, who wanted to be known as Affendi, said he had a pleasant experience meeting both Pakatan and Perikatan candidates.
“One of them even gave me a manifesto. Both candidates are friendly but I was told by people that I should vote for the Perikatan candidate as he is a local.
“There’s still a week to go until polling day. Maybe I’ll attend a few ceramah from both sides to get a better knowledge of the situation,” he said.
Trader Chong San Choon, 29, meanwhile, said he has “made up his mind” on who to vote for.
“There’s not much of a choice for us. We want someone that represents all Malaysians.”
For him, the candidate’s coalition plays a big factor in influencing his vote.
Restaurant worker K. Bala, 27, is still undecided.
“We thought things would change after the last general election but it has been relatively the same.
“It will take quite a bit for me to come out and vote.
“I’ve heard of some people mentioning a boycott of the by-election but I don’t think that’s fair,” he said.
The by-election will see a four-cornered fight between Pakatan’s Pang, Perikatan’s Khairul Azhari, Parti Rakyat Malaysia’s Hafizah Zainudin, and Independent candidate Nyau Ke Xin.
Early voting takes place tomorrow while polling is on Saturday.
