By Yasmin Ramlan
HULU SELANGOR, April 27 — As the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election kicks off today, the nomination process at the Hulu Selangor Multipurpose Hall and District Sports Complex drew early crowds of Unity Government supporters as early as 8am.
Nearly 1,000 supporters, most of them clad in red, enthusiastically waved Pakatan Harapan (Harapan) flags while chanting rallying cries such as ‘Undi, Undi, Undi Parpaduan’, ‘Hidup Pakatan’ and ‘Chaiyok!’
Harapan candidate Pang Sock Tao arrived near the nomination centre around 8.40am, accompanied by the supporters.
At 8.55am, they began marching towards the centre.
Also present were Selangor Menteri Besar and Selangor Harapan chairman Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari, Barisan Nasional chairman Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, DAP secretary-general Anthony Loke Siew Fook and Harapan election director for Kuala Kubu Baharu Ng Sze Han.
Other prominent figures include prime minister’s political secretary Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin and Puchong MP Yeo Bee Yin.
Pang later filed her nomination, accompanied by her proposer, Parti Keadilan Rakyat’s Hulu Selangor division member S. Srikanth, and seconder, Umno’s Hulu Selangor division member Amin Hussen.
Returning officer for the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election, Yuhanas Auree Kamaruddin, will announce the contesting candidates once nomination is closed.
Potential candidates have one hour beginning at 9am to submit their nomination papers.
The Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election was triggered following the demise of its incumbent, DAP’s Lee Kee Hiong, 58, on March 21 due to cancer.
According to the latest electoral roll, Kuala Kubu Baharu has 40,226 registered voters consisting of 39,362 ordinary voters, 625 policemen, 238 military personnel and spouses and one overseas absentee voter.
The 14-day campaign period will begin after the nomination process until 11.59pm on May 10.
Polling day is set for May 11, while early voting is scheduled for May 7.
