By Yasmin Ramlan
HULU SELANGOR, April 27 — Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari has expressed his confidence that Pakatan Harapan (Harapan) would be able to hold the Kuala Kubu Baharu seat, pointing to the coalition’s successful record of winning three consecutive terms.
Amirudin, who is also the Selangor Harapan chairman, said state-led initiatives for Kuala Kubu Baharu’s infrastructure and economic development, including the Iltizam Selangor Penyayang (ISP) welfare programme, were major factors in previous victories.
“The selection of candidates is an important factor. However, Harapan’s track record in the previous three terms should be considered as well.
“We have implemented various plans for infrastructure and economic development. Furthermore, we have made activities to improve social security a priority through the ISP programme.
“I trust that these efforts will contribute to our ability to defend the seat in this by-election,” he said when met earlier during the nomination of candidates for the Kuala Kubu Baharu state by-election, here today.
The Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election will feature a four-cornered fight between Harapan, Perikatan Nasional (PN), Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM), and one independent candidate.
Activist and producer Pang Sock Tao represents Harapan and the state Unity pact, while PN is represented by Hulu Selangor Bersatu acting division chief Khairul Azhari Saut.
PRM, meanwhile, is represented by Hafizah Zainudin. The sole independent candidate is Nyau Ke Xin.
The Election Commission (EC) has set May 11 as polling day, with early voting scheduled for May 7.
According to the latest electoral roll by the EC, 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 by-election was triggered following the death of its incumbent, Lee Kee Hiong, on March 21. Lee was a three-term Kuala Kubu Baharu assemblyman.
In the last state election in August last year, Lee 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 Chng Boon Lai (527 votes).
