Higher stakes in KKB
Pakatan’s hold put to the test with two surprise candidates
HULU SELANGOR: Two candidates have disrupted what was expected to be a duel between coalitions representing the government and the Opposition, as there are now three parties and four personalities vying for the Kuala Kubu Baharu state seat in the May 11 by-election.
As nominations for the by-election closed yesterday, it was revealed that Hafizah Zainuddin of Parti Rakyat Malaysia (PRM) and Independent Nyau Ke Xin will be taking on Pang Sock Tao of Pakatan Harapan and Khairul Azhari Saut of Perikatan Nasional for the seat named after the popular hill town in northern Selangor.
Their names were announced by returning officer Yuhanas Auree Kamaruddin after the nomination process was completed at the Hulu Selangor District Multipurpose Hall and Sports Complex.
If it were not for a last minute snag, the by-election would have seen five candidates vie for the seat. Prospective Independent candidate, Chng Boon Lai had his nomination papers rejected by Election Commission officers after it was discovered that he did not file an expenses report from the previous state election.
When asked what drove her to contest the seat, which Pakatan has held for the past three terms, Nyau, a 27-year-old logistics company manager, said she wanted to be a voice for the public’s anger about the rising cost of living.
“The people’s discontent with the coalition government needs a platform, and I intend to be that voice.”
For PRM, the decision to field 50-year-old Hafizah was made at the last minute.
“It was at 2am that we resolved to enter the race, driven by our dissatisfaction with the government, the nation’s economic slowdown and the hardships faced by the people. We hope to be the catalyst for change,” said PRM president Ahmad Jufliz Faiza, who accompanied Hafizah to the nomination centre.
Hafizah herself wants to be a channel for the public to voice out their dissatisfaction over rising inflation and to demand greater accountability from the Selangor government.
Perikatan’s Khairul Azhari said he is not worried about the prospect of the Independent candidates splitting the Opposition vote as the coalition has appropriate strategies to overcome this.
“I will bring Kuala Kubu Baru’s voice to the state assembly,” he told reporters.
Pang, 31, who represents the state government’s coalition, said she will be releasing a manifesto soon detailing her plans to transform Kuala Kubu Baru.
“Enhancing ecotourism and resolving livelihood issues are top priorities for me. By improving these areas, I’m confident we can attract entrepreneurs and job-seekers alike. Empowering women is also at the heart of my campaign,” Pang said.