By Yasmin Ramlan
HULU SELANGOR, April 29 — In the midst of a four-cornered battle for the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election, Pakatan Harapan (Harapan) candidate Pang Sock Tao emerges as a fresh face in the political arena. For Pang, the opportunity signifies more than competing for a state seat; it represents a golden opportunity to breathe new life into the town.
In a recent interview with Selangor Journal, Pang, who recently turned 31, described her age as an advantage in terms of political involvement and societal contribution. She believes that young candidates often bring enthusiasm, boldness, and a steadfast belief that anything is possible.
“As young individuals, we possess boundless energy and a steadfast belief that everything is possible. Our open-mindedness allows us to perceive challenges with boldness, viewing them as opportunities yet to be explored.
“This mentality leads us to believe in the absence of boundaries, instilling a sense of fearlessness in our pursuit of new ventures,” she said when asked how her age will benefit the constituents of Kuala Kubu Baharu.
The Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election will see a four-cornered fight featuring Pang from Harapan, Hulu Selangor Bersatu acting division chief Khairul Azhari Saut from Perikatan Nasional (PN), Hafizah Zainudin from Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) and Nyau Ke Xin as an independent candidate.
The by-election is set to take place following the demise of its incumbent, Lee Kee Hiong, 58, on March 21 due to cancer. She had represented the constituency for three terms since 2013.
A talent for speaking
Sharing her areas of focus for the two-week campaign, Pang, who has an engineering background, emphasised that she will prioritise leveraging social media platforms to disseminate Harapan’s manifesto, counter misinformation, and engage with voters.
According to her, it is crucial to ensure that constituents are familiar with the candidate from the Unity Government and recognise the incumbent’s contribution. This involves highlighting the initiatives aimed at addressing their needs.
“Firstly, we (the Unity Government) need to mobilise our grassroots for their assistance and backing in the campaign. Secondly, we must garner support from the fence-sitting voters by presenting our policies and manifesto outlining what we aim to achieve for Kuala Kubu Baharu.
“If we can address these two aspects, we will go all out in these two weeks,” she said.
In Kuala Kubu Baharu, 46 per cent of the voters are Malay, 30 per cent are Chinese, 18 per cent are Indian, and 5 per cent are of other races.
Hailing from Selangor and having lived in Ampang, Pang recalled that her involvement in politics started during her secondary school years and continued on to university.
She was the champion of a national debate competition, and speaking to an audience nurtured her interest in current issues, which ultimately led to her involvement in politics.
“I chose DAP because I was attracted to its commitment to fighting for all Malaysians. Furthermore, many of my friends were already members of the party and actively involved in social work in my area, Ampang. Their influence played a significant role in my decision.
“I have been actively participating in debates at school and at university since the age of 17. Engaging in discussion on current issues has sparked my interest in politics,” she quipped.
Elaborating further, Pang said that in 2018, Kulai member of parliament Teo Nie Ching approached her about a producer position at UbahTV. Having just witnessed a government transition, she decided to accept the offer, despite her then-role at the Energy, Technology, Science, Climate Change and Environment Ministry.
“Another factor that contributed to my involvement in politics was when my teacher showed a video clip of the Bersih rally, in which I witnessed the hardships Malaysians endured in their efforts to bring about change in the country. This inspired me to take action for my country,” she said.
On a bigger mission
Raised in a humble working-class family, Pang fondly reminisced about her upbringing, during which her parents instilled in her and her five siblings the values of independence and discipline.
Realising the importance of education, she made the decision at the age of 13 to enrol in a boarding school in Port Dickson, seeing it as a pathway to self-discipline.
When asked why she did not pursue a career in engineering, Pang explained that her volunteer work with DAP led to her appointment as former minister Yeo Bee Yin’s special officer, and this changed her career path.
“Yes, I do feel a bit of loss, but I do believe that if we do something wholeheartedly, we will achieve our goals, no matter in what manner,” she said.
