By Danial Dzulkifly
HULU SELANGOR, May 4 — Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election Unity coalition candidate Pang Sock Tao has launched her election manifesto, with an emphasis on sustainability development and community empowerment.
Her manifesto consists of five main thrusts, encompassing efforts to boost economic activities based on industrial development in Hulu Selangor, enhancing local tourism, and entrepreneurship.
Other include improving transportation systems and public amenities, diversifying local residents’ recreational life, launching initiatives to preserve and elevate Kuala Kubu Baharu’s heritage and culture, and safeguarding the people’s welfare to ensure no one is left behind.
In her campaign speech at a mega ceramah held in Batang Kali, Pang said her manifesto was formed based on feedback she received from the local community.
“I believe that one of a politician’s most important responsibilities is to improve the lives of the people and future generations.
“So, if elected, I will strive as hard as possible to boost the economy, increase job opportunities, and income for Kuala Kubu Baharu’s residents,’’ she said to a crowd of nearly 1,000 people gathered for the event yesterday night.
The mega ceramah was also attended by major Unity coalition leaders, including Menteri Besar Dato’ Seri Amirudin Shari and several Federal ministers, like Anthony Loke, Gobind Singh Deo, and Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu.
The by-election sees Pang facing off against Khairul Azhari Saut (Perikatan Nasional or PN), Hafizah Zainuddin (Parti Rakyat Malaysia), and Nyau Ke Xin (Independent).
It was called after the death of its state assemblyman Lee Kee Hiong on March 21, from cancer.
Lee, 58, had represented her constituency since 2013, winning and then defending the seat in three consecutive state elections.
Kuala Kubu Baharu is a traditional DAP seat. In the 15th general election (GE15), the party retained its seat with a 4,119 majority.
The late state assemblyman garnered 14,862 total votes against PN’s Teoh Kien Hong (10,743 votes), Muda’s R. Siva Prakash (1,186 votes), and Parti Rakyat Malaysia’s Ch’ng Boon Lai (527 votes).
The state constituency consists of 46.4 per cent Malay voters, 30.7 per cent Chinese voters, 18 per cent Indian, and five per cent of other ethnicities.
On April 4, the Election Commission (EC) announced that the by-election’s polling date will fall on May 11, with early voting on May 7.
