‘Voters wanted PN to field Malay candidate’
Perikatan Nasional chairman Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the coalition opted to field a Malay candidate in the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election in line with voter demand.
He said many PN voters wanted the opposition coalition to give a Malay leader a chance to contest the seat.
Muhyiddin, who is Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia president, said he was confident that issues faced by the public, including the rising cost of living, would give PN the edge.
He said PN could win if a large number of Malay voters turned out.
“Some 47 per cent of the voters here are Malay. About 30 per cent are Chinese, and 18 per cent Indians, with the remaining five per cent comprising Orang Asli and others,” he said outside the nomination centre here yesterday.
“It’s just a rough estimate, but if 80 per cent of the Malay voters come out to vote, we will win.”
PN is fielding Khairul Azhari Saut of Bersatu. His main rival for the seat would be Pakatan Harapan’s Pang Sock Tao.
On Umno president Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s remarks that he was confident the unity coalition could win the by-election, Muhyiddin said he, too, was confident of PN’s chances.
“(I am sure) 110 per cent. He (Zahid) is confident and I am, too. But it’s not up to him or me because we’re not the voters here.
“What’s important are the people here in Kuala Kubu Baharu. There are many problems now (in the country) compared with when the Selangor state election and general election (GE15) were held.”
Meanwhile, Bersatu would be taking action against six of its members of parliament who declared support for the unity government.
Muhyiddin, who confirmed this, said action against the six would be according to the party’s amended constitution. However, he declined to provide details.
“I have explained at length (on the actions to be taken against the six MPs) previously. So, I do not need to go over it again, as it is part of the party’s strategy.
“However, I can confirm that action will be taken according to provisions in the Federal Constitution, the party constitution and the anti-party hopping law.
“We will comply with the procedures so that there are no mistakes.”
It was previously reported that Bersatu secretary-general Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin had delivered notices to the six MPs.
They are Datuk Syed Abu Hussin Hafiz Syed Abu Fasal (Bukit Gantang), Mohd Azizi Abu Naim (Gua Musang), Datuk Dr Zulkafperi Hanapi (Tanjong Karang), Zahari Kechik (Jeli), Datuk Iskandar Dzulkarnain Abdul Khalid (Kuala Kangsar) and Datuk Dr Suhaili Abdul Rahman (Labuan).
Muhyiddin also advised nonMalays in Kuala Kubu Baharu not to boycott the by-election.
“Please do not boycott the byelection. If you are not happy (with the performance of the federal government), exercise your right to vote and let us win the byelection so that we can be an effective opposition.
“If you boycott the by-election, it is a loss for everyone.”