By Yasmin Ramlan
HULU SELANGOR, Apr 19 — Pakatan Harapan (Harapan) has not made any decision whether to nominate a Malay candidate to contest in the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election next month, said the coalition’s election director for the upcoming poll, Ng Sze Han.
This is in response to a recent news report suggesting that DAP would field a Malay candidate there in a bid to woo voters from the majority race.
Ng, who is Selangor DAP secretary, said his party has prepared a long list of potential candidates comprising individuals from diverse racial backgrounds.
“The list of candidates is extensive because there are many who deserve to be selected,” he told a press conference after attending the construction commencement ceremony for MCE Holdings Bhd’s (MCE) Auto Hub at UMW High Value Manufacturing Park, Serendah today.
“We have candidates from various ethnic backgrounds, including Chinese, Malay and Indian, but we haven’t made a final decision yet.”
Asked if the candidate is a local, Ng was similarly tight-lipped, merely saying that an official announcement will be made next Wednesday (April 24).
On April 17, news portal Free Malaysia Today reported that DAP is likely to field a Malay candidate for the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election.
It quoted a party source as saying that Hulu Selangor Municipal Council member Saripah Bakar is the frontrunner to represent Harapan in the poll.
The by-election is being held following the death of its incumbent, Lee Kee Hiong.
The Election Commission has set May 11 as polling day, while nomination and early voting will be held on April 27 and May 7 respectively.
Allocation for local councils not unusual
On a separate matter, Ng refuted accusations that the RM5.21 million allocated by the Local Government and Housing Ministry to Hulu Selangor residents yesterday is meant as a political fund to garner support ahead of Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election.
He said it is a normal practice for the ministry to provide funds to local authorities for upgrading works of public infrastructure.
“The minister (Nga Kor Ming) has clarified that the allocation is a standard practice. Additionally, candidates (for the election) have not even been finalised yet.
“In fact, the minister is visiting Terengganu and Kelantan today to hand over similar allocations, even though no by-election will be held there.
“These allocations are necessary for the local authorities, and it’s a standard practice for the ministry to assist local councils in upgrading the surrounding facilities,” he said.
Yesterday, Nga announced that his ministry has allocated RM5.21 million to upgrade over 10 public facilities in Hulu Selangor, as well as for contribution to non-Muslim places of worship.
He said among other things, the fund will be used to repair and upgrade existing food courts, the Rasa public market and facilities at Taman Tasik Millenium, besides resurfacing works on several roads.
Meanwhile, former Selangor Umno treasurer Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz has denied any internal conflict with the party’s state chapter.
Emphasising his loyalty to the party, Zafrul clarified that his previous remarks were constructive criticism and reiterated the importance of Selangor Umno to emulate the spirit shown by the Unity Government at the federal level.
“In fact, for the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election, I will go to the ground and meet with the Selangor Umno division chief to hold a meeting aimed at assisting the Unity Government candidate,” he said.
