Over the next two weeks, Kuala Kubu Baharu will be thrust into the spotlight as Malaysians wait to see whether the unity government can win five out of seven by-elections since the 15th General Election in November 2022.

The by-election, said observers, would also gauge the level of public support for the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional ruling coalition, besides the mood for Perikatan Nasional's (PN) "green wave".

With 40,226 voters, Kuala Kubu Baharu is one of three state seats under the Hulu Selangor parliamentary constituency, which is held by PN.

The seat fell vacant after Lee Kee Hiong of DAP succumbed to cancer on March 21.

Barring any surprise entrants, the by-election, fixed for early voting and polling on May 7 and 11, respectively, is shaping up to be a straight fight between DAP and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).

DAP is banking on Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming's press secretary, Pang Sock Tao, to help the party retain the seat and continue Lee's legacy.

Pang, an electrical and electronic engineering graduate, previously served as assistant producer for Ubah TV (DAP's Voice) for two years from 2017 before becoming a special officer for the minister of energy, science, technology and climate change the following year.

She returned to Ubah TV as a producer in 2020 before becoming a special officer for Nga from December 2022. She was later appointed as Nga's press secretary in January this year.

Pang, 31, will face an opponent who is 20 years older than her.

PN is fielding Bersatu Hulu Selangor division acting chief Khairul Azhari Saut to wrest the seat and increase the opposition's composition in the state assembly.

Malaysian United Democratic Alliance (Muda) and its new political partner, Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM), previously rumoured to be joining the race, had decided yesterday to sit out the by-election.

While polling is unlikely to lead to a shift in power at either state or federal level, the two political parties contesting are not taking the matter lightly.

DAP secretary Anthony Loke, during the announcement ceremony of the PH candidate recently, said the unity government must ensure that the by-election concludes in its favour.

"A win in this by-election will not only enhance the strength of the federal government, which is already stable and solid, but also the Selangor government under Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari.

"We want Selangor, including Kuala Kubu Baharu, to continue to be developed. Selangor has great economic potential, which brings spillover effects to people in the state," he said.

Across the political divide, a victory is crucial and will give a much-needed morale boost to Bersatu and PN, especially after one of its 22 assemblymen in Selangor declared support for the unity government.

Last month, Selat Klang assemblyman and former Selangor Bersatu leadership council head Datuk Abdul Rashid Asari announced his support for Amirudin's administration.

PN Selangor chief Datuk Seri Azmin Ali, who is also PN Kuala Kubu Baharu election director, said there was no question that the by-election was important to the opposition.

"If it is fated by Allah that PN wins the support from the majority of the people in Kuala Kubu Baharu, it will change the landscape of Malaysia's political scene," he said.

Political analyst Assistant Professor Dr Lau Zhe Wei said whatever the outcome on Nomination Day, the main battle would be between Pakatan Harapan (PH) and PN.

The by-election would not only serve as an evaluation of the unity government's performance, but also whether the "green wave" - a phenomenon linked to PN's rise in support nationwide - is still alive.

"This by-election is interesting and important in the sense that it will determine the voting trend or support for PH in seats that have equal voter composition among races," said Lau, who is attached to the International Islamic University Malaysia's Political Science Department.

The Election Commission (EC) said the nomination of candidates at the Hulu Selangor district Sports Complex and Multipurpose Hall will open at 9am today.

Candidates will have one hour to submit their nomination papers to the returning officer.

Page 1 pic: Election Commission workers preparing the nomination centre for the Kuala Kubu Baharu by-election yesterday.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/04/1043165/will-ph-prevail-over-pns-green-wave