By Danial Dzulkifly
SHAH ALAM, May 11—After two weeks of largely peaceful political campaigning, Kuala Kubu Baharu’s voters will head to the ballot today to decide who will represent them for the remainder of the current term.
Eyes will be fixed on the outcome of the by-election in the rural northern seat of Selangor, as a victory for either of the two main contenders — the Pakatan Harapan-led Unity Government and Perikatan Nasional (PN) — will send a strong message to the other.
The result will also provide some indication of the support that the parties enjoyed nine months after the State Election in August last year.
During the past two weeks, both coalitions have predominantly focused their campaigns on close-knit community engagements rather than the traditional large-scale rallies often held in key areas to attract a wide audience.
Local communities have also been discussing and deliberating about the Unity Government's performance nearly two years after it assumed Federal power.
But one key factor that may be a key determinant in this by-election is voter turnout.
Both political observers and politicians have acknowledged the importance of a high turnout for either party to secure victory — although both target different demographics.
It is no surprise then, that the machinery from both sides of the divide have been scrambling to convince constituents to carry out their civic duty when the polling stations open at 8am.
Selangor Journal also looked at some of the other key factors influencing the ground sentiment in the rural constituency.
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The Unity Government candidate for the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election Pang Sock Tao (centre) with local residents during her visit to Kampung Orang Asli Buluh Telur in Kuala Kubu Baharu, Hulu Selangor, on May 7, 2024. — Picture by MOHD KHAIRUL HELMY MOHD DIN/SELANGORKINI[/caption]
A focus on state issues
Local voters have largely expressed satisfaction with the performance of the state government under the stewardship of Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari.
This may be why the Unity coalition has undertaken a strategy to focus on local issues and promote the achievements of the state administration instead of relying on national leaders to come to the ground to woo local voters.
This was evident in the absence of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim from the campaign trail — the move was ostensibly aimed at preventing the Opposition from anchoring their arguments to criticisms towards Anwar’s leadership of the country.
By keeping Federal personalities away from the campaign trail, it enabled the state Unity coalition to focus its campaign on showcasing its track record to the voters.
The message was clear: reducing hardcore poverty, promoting development, attracting investments, and ensuring social security through assistance for the underprivileged are just some of the efforts taken by the state government today.
And the overall messaging appears to have paid off, with PN primarily relying on nativist and racial rhetoric throughout their campaigning yet failing to provide any substantial proposal on how it could better manage Kuala Kubu Baharu and Selangor as a whole.
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Pakatan Harapan candidate for the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election Pang Sock Tao (centre) speaking to the crowd outside of the Kuala Kubu Baharu nomination centre at the Hulu Selangor Multipurpose Hall and District Sports Complex, Hulu Selangor, on April 27, 2024. — Picture by MOHD KHAIRUL HELMY MOHD DIN/SELANGORKINI[/caption]
Candidates hitting the right notes
Today’s by-election will witness a four-cornered fight as the Unity Government candidate Pang Sock Tao looks to defend the seat for Harapan against PN’s Khairul Azhari Saut, Parti Rakyat Malaysia’s (PRM) Hafizah Zainuddin, and Independent candidate Nyau Ke Xin.
It was triggered following the passing of Kuala Kubu Baharu state assemblyman Lee Kee Hiong, who died on March 21, aged 58, due to cancer. She represented the state constituency since 2013, successfully defending her seat for three terms.
In last year’s State Election, the late representative won the seat with a 4,119 majority, garnering 14,862 total votes against PN’s Teoh Kien Hong (10,743 votes), Muda’s R. Siva Prakash (1,186 votes), and PRM’s Ch’ng Boon Lai (527 votes).
While there have been some questions over the choice of candidates, Pang has emerged as a standout.
The 31-year-old engineering graduate maintains a consistent message that balances sustainable development with economic growth, resonating well with local communities.
These communities demand better access to healthcare, social services and a thriving local economy, all while preserving the serene and laid-back atmosphere of the town.
Pang has also released a five-point manifesto aligned with the state’s aspirations outlined in the First Selangor Plan (RS-1), which, in brief, promises to enhance the quality of life of the local residents while improving services delivery.
Her closest contender, Azhari, attempted to replicate her message by releasing his own five-point manifesto.
However, many have criticised him for purportedly copying Pang’s manifesto, which was formulated by her team within the Unity coalition, and accused him of lacking original ideas.
Pang also holds a slight advantage in the by-election as she has pledged to continue Lee’s legacy and programmes.
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Pakatan Harapan candidate for Kuala Kubu Baharu Pang Sock Tao shakes hands with a seller at a stall in Pekan Kuala Kubu Bharu, Hulu Selangor on April 29, 2024. — Picture by FIKRI YUSOF/SELANGORKINI[/caption]
Momentum picking up within the Unity Coalition
According to political observers, the strengthened cooperation between Harapan and Barisan Nasional (BN) within the state government is another significant factor that could influence the by-election’s outcome.
While Harapan is working hard to win over fence-sitters and reaffirm support from among their core voters, BN lynchpin Umno has taken the lead in Malay-majority areas.
The Malay-based party appears more energised, with its machinery hitting the ground running to persuade its support base and Malay constituents that supporting the Unity Government will bring them greater benefits.
However, some resistance on the ground has been seen from certain segments of voters, who demand that the government better articulate their stance on policies, aid, and benefits.
This has been particularly evident in the past two weeks, especially from among the Indian community, which represents 18 per cent of the total Kuala Kubu Baharu voters. Several local Indian leaders have called for the government to provide better treatment for the community.
In response, government representatives including Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Deputy Minister Datuk R. Ramakrishnan and Malaysian Indian Community Transformation Unit (Mitra) Special Committee chairman P. Prabakaran have been actively engaging with the Indian community to address these concerns.
The by-election’s results, which will be announced later tonight, will answer whether this will dent the Unity coalition’s hope of securing victory.
That said, observers are projecting that the status quo in Kuala Kubu Baharu will remain, with the Harapan candidate clinching victory, albeit with a lower majority.
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Harapan candidate for the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election Pang Sock Tao meets with three women having a meal at Restoran New Sign Kampung Asam Kumbang in Hulu Selangor on May 8, 2024. — Picture by MOHD KHAIRUL HELMY MOHD DIN/SELANGORKINI[/caption]
