KKB by-election will be a confidence vote for the Anwar administration

 

PAKATAN Harapan (PH) has nominated its candidate, DAP’s Pang Sock Tao, for the Kuala Kubu Baharu (KKB) by-election.

Meanwhile, Perikatan Nasional (PN) has named its Hulu Selangor acting division chief Khairul Azhari Saut to take advantage of the present situation and recent controversies.

The DAP candidate is an aide to Local Government and Housing Minister Nga Kor Ming who has found himself embroiled in several recent controversies and therefore, is a risk for the party.

Furthermore, the candidate’s name, Pang Sock Tao, alludes to a recent polemic that engulfed the nation.

An Indian candidate does not have any chance of winning despite P. Ramasamy’s opinion preferring an Indian candidate.

The demographics of the constituency show that only a Malay or a Chinese candidate from either coalition stands a chance of victory.

As such Urimai, the party that is supporting the PN candidate, should wait for another opportunity where there are better chances for an Indian candidate. It is no point rushing into a decision only to regret it later.

The Indians, however, with their swing vote can make an impact in the election and be kingmakers!

This by-election will be a hot and intense one with various divisive and contentious issues coming to the fore.

It will also be a confidence vote for the Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim administration and its 18 months of lacklustre performance with the Malay, Chinese and, especially the Indian communities.

Racial and religious issues as well as the recent boycotts relating to the “Allah” socks controversy, the cost-of-living issues and others will be highlighted during the election.

The issue of the backtracking on reforms by the Madani government may not be crucial in a backwater constituency like KKB as it would have been if it were somewhere in Petaling Jaya or even Subang Jaya.

The Selangor government’s governance and performance since it was elected last July will also be an issue in the election for candidates from PH and PN.

Local issues need to be given preference and this is an election the KKB voters should use the opportunity to the maximum to lobby for their important needs and projects unlike during a general election when their bargaining power will be very much less.

By-elections have brought more focus, development and projects to various constituencies long overlooked in the country over the years.

This by-election will lay bare racial issues due to the demographics of the constituency at a time when the country feels a period of calm should return after the recent polemics and controversies.

Although the PH-led Selangor government has a majority in the legislative assembly, the potential loss of the KKB seat could start a destabilising process.

The PH-UMNO alliance will be put through a stiff test and should PH lose the election the blame game will start all over again to destabilise the coalition.

Whatever the outcome, one thing that’s for sure is that it will certainly be an intense and exciting electoral battle for KKB voters come May 11. – Focus Malaysia